*ANB NEWS NETWORK*
New Delhi, January 01:ANB : As the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ draws to a close, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), under the leadership of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, has reported substantial progress in implementing a broad spectrum of reforms aimed at enhancing jointness, boosting defence preparedness, promoting self-reliance, and improving welfare delivery mechanisms. The initiatives reflect a whole-of-government approach to building a modern, integrated and future-ready defence ecosystem.
During the year, the Defence Acquisition Council approved capital acquisition proposals exceeding Rs 3.84 lakh crore since January 2025, with a strong emphasis on modernisation through indigenisation. In the current financial year 2025–26, up to the end of December 2025, the MoD signed capital contracts worth Rs 1.82 lakh crore to strengthen the Armed Forces.
In terms of expenditure, the Ministry achieved nearly 80 per cent utilisation (approximately Rs 1.2 lakh crore) of the Capital Acquisition Budget by December 2025. Overall capital expenditure, including infrastructure, land and research and development, reached around 76 per cent, underlining sustained momentum in defence modernisation.
To deepen indigenisation and secure defence supply chains, private sector participation was expanded through streamlined manufacturing licences, mapping of MSME competencies, and preparation of market intelligence reports to improve demand-supply assessment. Testing and trial infrastructure was opened to private players, while 25 per cent of defence research grants were earmarked for private industry, academia and MSMEs to spur innovation.
Significant acquisition and procurement reforms were undertaken to reduce timelines, including simplification of the iDEX manual, rationalisation of defence export permissions, revamp of the Defence EXIM Portal, simplification of technology transfer policies, and decentralisation through revised financial powers. The Defence Procurement Manual 2025, effective from November 1, 2025, marked a key milestone in this effort.
On the policy and international engagement front, review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, encouragement of foreign direct investment in defence, enhanced cooperation with friendly nations, defence lines of credit under initiatives such as Bharat Maitri Shakti, and rationalisation of restricted distance norms near defence establishments progressed during the year. According to the news service associated news Bureau ANB that
The Ministry also advanced defence production and quality initiatives, including the formation of an export promotion body, adoption of Quality Assurance 4.0 and Industry 4.0 practices in defence public sector undertakings, and steps towards establishing a National Integrated Test Laboratory for defence platforms.
To strengthen jointness and future preparedness, initiatives such as the establishment of a Joint Operations Control Centre, promulgation of Vision 2047 for the Armed Forces, creation of a Future Operations Analysis Group, promotion of joint training programmes, and finalisation of the Integrated Capability Development Plan moved forward. These measures contributed to improved planning and execution during Operation Sindoor.
Operational integration measures included deployment of a Tri-Service Geographical Information System, harmonisation of policies and standard operating procedures across services, expansion of women’s roles in combat and leadership positions, promotion of military tourism, and preparation of a long-term roadmap for operational infrastructure and accommodation.
Veterans’ welfare reforms saw improvements in medical and social support under the ECHS framework, including doorstep delivery of medicines for elderly ex-servicemen, expanded telemedicine services, introduction of AYUSH treatment, upgraded polyclinics, and enhanced welfare grants covering education, marriage and penury assistance.
Meanwhile, the SPARSH pension portal onboarded 31.69 lakh defence pensioners. Of the 6.43 lakh discrepant cases migrated from earlier systems, 6.07 lakh were normalised without affecting pension entitlements.
The reform momentum achieved during the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’, the Ministry noted, has strengthened India’s defence preparedness and institutional efficiency, forming part of a continuing process to build a modern, integrated and self-reliant defence framework capable of safeguarding national security in the years ahead.ANB
