New Land Warfare Doctrine

Why in news?

The Indian Army is set to adopt a new Land Warfare Doctrine, released during the Army Commanders' Conference, according to the Ministry of Defence.

• New Land Warfare Doctrine – The doctrine is expected to provide an overarching framework to prepare the Army for the changing character of warfare and future conflicts.
• Aim – To take stock of ongoing initiatives, identify future thrust areas and chart policy directions to build a "progressive, adaptive, technologically enabled and future-ready".
• Background – The last land warfare doctrine was released in December 2018, about a year and a half after the joint doctrine of the armed forces of April 2017. Earlier editions came out in 1998 and 2004.
• 2018 document – Dealt with the geostrategic environment, the spectrum of conflict, hybrid warfare, multi-front capability, surveillance, precision strike, information warfare, space warfare and special forces, and it was meant to form the basis for strategies on the northern and western fronts.
• Coverage – It is expected to cover how operations are integrated across the conventional domains and newer ones such as cyber, space and electronic warfare, and the growing use of unmanned platforms and artificial intelligence in surveillance, targeting and decision-making.
• 2 fronts –
  • In the north, the stand-off with China has made rapid mobilisation, high-altitude logistics and round-the-clock surveillance a priority.
  • In the west, the Army has to deal with conventional formations, drones, missiles and cross-border attacks.
• Joint Doctrine for Multi-Domain Operations – Issued by the Integrated Defence Services in August 2025, a framework for bringing together land, air, maritime, space, cyber and information capabilities.

Army Commanders' Conference

• The three-day Army Commanders’ Conference, the Indian Army’s highest-level decision-making forum, will discuss the evolving security environment, operational preparedness, and future capability development.
• Chaired by – Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
• Objective –  To provide a platform for the Army’s senior leadership to review ongoing initiatives, identify future priorities, and formulate policy directions to build a technologically enabled, adaptive and future-ready force.
• Recognition to UNPK – Unveil the annual United Nations Journal and felicitate Army personnel who have made notable contributions while serving as United Nations peacekeepers (UNPK).
• To honour their professionalism and service towards international peace and security under the UN banner.
• Awards for Excellence – As part of the conference, the Army Chief will confer awards for Green Military Stations and Aviation Flight Safety, recognising excellence in environmental sustainability, resource management and the promotion of a strong aviation safety culture.

References

1. TOI | Army to unveil new land warfare doctrine
2. The Hindu | Army to unveil new land warfare doctrine