Indian Military Creates New Group to Track Emerging Technologies and Redefine Warfare Strategy

The Indian military has launched the Future Analysis and Operations Group (FAOG) as part of a restructuring initiative to monitor new global technologies. This group operates under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and focuses on adapting to modern warfare. The FAOG draws lessons from recent conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Hamas-Israel to inform its strategies.

Its main role is to gather ideas from the armed forces and work on updating military strategies, structures, and equipment. A dedicated Future Warfare Fund allows collaboration with experts, think tanks, and research institutes for valuable insights. The ultimate aim is to re-organize and re-equip the military to ensure readiness for future warfare.

The restructuring also involves the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force into Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), with changes in training, promotions, and financial planning to align with new warfare needs.

Indian Military Creates New Group to Track Emerging Technologies and Redefine Warfare Strategy

The Indian military is undergoing a major transformation to prepare for the challenges of modern warfare. As part of this effort, it has created a specialized team called the Future Analysis and Operations Group (FAOG). This group, which operates under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), has a clear mission: to study emerging technologies and global military trends, ensuring that India’s armed forces stay ahead in an era of rapid change.

The decision to form the FAOG came after analyzing recent conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, Hamas-Israel clashes, and Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions. These conflicts have shown how warfare is evolving, with drones, cyberattacks, and AI-driven systems playing critical roles. The FAOG aims to learn from these lessons and ensure that India’s military is not caught off guard by new threats.

What Does the FAOG Do?

The FAOG acts as a bridge between India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force. Its primary job is to collect ideas, innovations, and feedback from these branches and turn them into actionable plans. For example, if the Navy identifies gaps in underwater drone capabilities, or the Air Force highlights the need for better anti-drone systems, the FAOG will analyze these inputs and work on strategies to address them. It’s not just about acquiring new equipment—though that’s part of it—but also about rethinking how the military organizes itself, trains its personnel, and plans for long-term challenges.

To support this work, the FAOG has access to a dedicated pool of money called the Future Warfare Fund. This fund allows the military to partner with tech experts, universities, research labs, and think tanks. Imagine a scenario where the FAOG collaborates with an AI startup to develop battlefield prediction tools or teams up with cybersecurity firms to protect critical infrastructure. These partnerships are meant to bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge solutions to the military’s modernization efforts.

Why Restructure Now?

The creation of the FAOG is part of a larger plan to overhaul India’s military structure. One of the biggest changes on the horizon is the shift to Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs). Right now, the Army, Navy, and Air Force mostly operate independently, with separate budgets and command structures. The new ITC model will merge these forces into unified regional commands. For instance, a single command covering India’s eastern borders might include Army units, naval resources from the Bay of Bengal, and Air Force squadrons, all working under one leader. This approach aims to improve coordination, reduce delays in decision-making, and make the military more agile during crises.

However, merging forces isn’t just about rearranging organizational charts. It will require sweeping changes in training programs, promotion policies, and even how money is allocated. Soldiers, sailors, and pilots may need to train together more often to build trust and understand each other’s capabilities. Promotions might prioritize officers with experience in joint operations, and budgets could shift to fund technologies that benefit all three services, like shared satellite networks or drone swarms.

Learning from Global Conflicts

Recent wars have taught the world that traditional tactics alone no longer guarantee success. In Ukraine, low-cost drones have destroyed expensive tanks. In the Hamas-Israel conflict, underground tunnels and improvised rockets have challenged high-tech defenses. The FAOG’s role is to study these scenarios and ask: How can India avoid similar vulnerabilities? For instance, if drones are becoming a game-changer, the military might invest in jamming systems or train soldiers to operate counter-drone units. Similarly, lessons from cyberattacks in these conflicts could push India to strengthen its digital defenses for power grids, communication networks, and financial systems.

Preparing for the Unknown

The FAOG isn’t just focused on today’s threats—it’s also looking decades ahead. What if future wars are fought in space or with AI-controlled robots? What if climate change leads to new types of humanitarian missions or border disputes? The group’s job is to imagine these possibilities and ensure the military has the tools, training, and flexibility to adapt. This might mean investing in quantum computing for unbreakable communication or designing lighter, modular equipment that soldiers can customize for different missions.

Challenges Ahead

While the FAOG’s goals are ambitious, there are hurdles. Bureaucracy, budget constraints, and resistance to change within the military could slow progress. For example, shifting to theatre commands requires overcoming decades of tradition, where each service operated independently. There’s also the risk of over-relying on technology—what happens if an enemy disrupts GPS signals or hacks into drone systems? The FAOG will need to balance high-tech solutions with reliable, low-cost backups.

In the end, the FAOG represents India’s commitment to staying prepared in a world where warfare is becoming faster, smarter, and more unpredictable. By fostering innovation, breaking down silos between military branches, and learning from global trends, India aims to build a future-ready force capable of defending its interests in any scenario.