In a landmark move aimed at reshaping India’s defence strategy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today unveiled a new book authored by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Titled Ready, Relevant and Resurgent: A Blueprint for the Transformation of India’s Military, the book sets forth a comprehensive vision for modernizing the Indian Armed Forces to face the demands of 21st-century warfare.
The launch event, held in New Delhi, highlighted the government’s continued focus on military reform, jointness, and indigenization. In his address, Defence Minister Singh lauded General Chauhan’s detailed articulation of reforms needed for a unified and efficient defence structure, emphasizing the urgency of enhanced integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force to counter modern-day threats.
The book delves into the fundamental pillars of military transformation—jointness, integration, and self-reliance—while aligning the armed forces with India’s larger national goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, known as Viksit Bharat. Through a collection of essays and insights, General Chauhan proposes a reformed Higher Defence Organisation and outlines actionable steps to boost operational synergy and strategic preparedness.
Serving as CDS since September 2022, General Chauhan brings decades of experience in operational command and strategic planning. He has consistently advocated for reforms such as integrated theatre commands, shared logistics infrastructure, and common communication platforms. His vision, presented in the book, seeks to balance operational excellence with the evolving security needs of a rapidly changing world.
The timing of the book’s release is significant, as India intensifies efforts under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to reduce reliance on foreign defence imports and bolster indigenous defence production. It also comes in the wake of strategic-level guidance offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2023 Combined Commanders Conference, where he urged the forces to prepare for future security scenarios. Similarly, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s recent push for a transformative roadmap toward a future-ready Army by 2047 finds strong resonance in the themes presented in the book.
The event saw participation from senior military leadership, defence scholars, and strategic analysts, who welcomed the publication as a timely and insightful contribution to India’s security discourse. Ready, Relevant and Resurgent is expected to serve as a reference point for policymakers and military planners as India works toward a technologically advanced, integrated, and resilient defence structure.
