On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Defence released the Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2025, its first unclassified update in nearly seven years. Coming just ahead of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) review, the new TPCR underscores the government’s intent to better align long-term military capability ambitions with urgent near-term procurement reforms. Extending well into the 2030s, TPCR 2025 signals India’s renewed resolve to modernise its armed forces.
Yet, a critical question persists: how can India acquire, absorb, and indigenise advanced technologies in a way that builds real operational capability?
At the heart of this analysis is a simple argument: self-reliance or global competitiveness cannot be achieved through intent and policy documents alone. TPCR 2025’s vision will only translate into strategic and operational strength if backed by profound, actionable reforms. These include enabling rapid technology transfer, establishing clear and industry-friendly intellectual property frameworks, and creating tangible incentives for private sector participation across the defence ecosystem.