General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief: 5 Powerful VIJAY Priorities Revealed

New Delhi, July 1: General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief officially assumed charge as the 31st Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on Wednesday, outlining a bold roadmap for transforming the Indian Army into a technology-driven, future-ready force. During his first address after taking over, General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief introduced the strategic “VIJAY” mantra, which will guide the Army’s modernization efforts in the coming years.

The appointment of General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief marks a significant milestone for India’s defence establishment at a time when regional and global security challenges continue to evolve rapidly. His vision focuses on strengthening operational readiness, promoting indigenous defence technologies, encouraging innovation, enhancing joint military operations, and ensuring the welfare of every soldier.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief vows to strengthen national security

Speaking after assuming office, General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief described the occasion as one filled with both pride and humility. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the guiding principles of “Duty, Honour, and Nation First.”

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for placing their trust in him, General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief said leading the Indian Army is the greatest honour of his military career.

He also paid heartfelt tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives while protecting the nation, stating that their courage and dedication would continue to inspire future generations of Indian soldiers.

VIJAY becomes the roadmap under General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief

The highlight of the address was the unveiling of the VIJAY doctrine, which General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief described as the guiding framework for the Army’s transformation.

According to him, the acronym represents five major priorities that will define the Indian Army’s future.

V – Vigilance and Readiness

The first pillar focuses on maintaining constant vigilance across India’s borders while ensuring a high level of operational preparedness.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief said the Army must remain alert to both conventional and emerging security threats. Continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid deployment capabilities will remain central to safeguarding national interests.

He emphasized that operational readiness would enable the Army to effectively respond to any challenge affecting India’s sovereignty.

I – Innovation and Transformation

Innovation forms the second pillar of the VIJAY doctrine.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief stressed that technological advancements must become an integral part of military planning, operational strategies, and capability development.

He said the Indian Army would increasingly adopt cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, advanced surveillance systems, and digital command structures to remain prepared for modern warfare.

The Army’s transformation, he added, will not be limited to equipment but will also include doctrinal and organizational reforms.

Jointness remains a key priority

The third element of the VIJAY vision focuses on Jointness and Integration.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief highlighted the importance of seamless coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy.

He said integrated planning, combined operations, and enhanced interoperability among the three services would significantly improve India’s military effectiveness.

Joint military operations are expected to play an increasingly important role in achieving the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, ensuring that India’s armed forces remain capable of responding to complex multidomain challenges.

Aatmanirbharta to drive defence modernization

One of the most significant priorities outlined by General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief is Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance.

He said the Indian Army would increasingly depend on indigenous technologies, defence manufacturing, and locally developed military systems.

Promoting domestic defence production aligns with the government’s broader Make in India initiative while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

According to General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief, future wars should increasingly be fought using Indian-designed and Indian-built defence platforms, weapons, communication systems, and surveillance technologies.

This approach is expected to strengthen India’s defence industrial ecosystem while enhancing strategic autonomy.

Yoddha First philosophy under General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief

The final pillar of the VIJAY doctrine is Yoddha First, reflecting the Army Chief’s commitment to every soldier.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief clarified that the term “Yoddha” includes everyone serving the Army—from newly recruited Agniveers to retired veterans.

He emphasized that soldiers remain the greatest strength of the Indian Army and that their welfare, professional growth, operational preparedness, and family support will continue to receive the highest priority.

By placing soldiers at the centre of modernization efforts, General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief aims to build a more motivated, resilient, and combat-ready force.

Building a technology-enabled future

During his address, General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief acknowledged the rapidly changing global security landscape.

He noted that warfare is becoming increasingly technology-driven, requiring the Army to adapt quickly to emerging threats across land, air, cyber, space, and information domains.

The modernization strategy will therefore prioritize advanced digital technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare capabilities, and integrated battlefield management systems.

The objective is to create a highly agile and technology-enabled Army capable of responding to future conflicts with speed and precision.

Tribute to previous Army leadership

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with former Chiefs of Army Staff.

He said their leadership had transformed the Indian Army into a strong, professional, and dependable institution respected both nationally and internationally.

He pledged to build upon their achievements while accelerating modernization and institutional reforms.

General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief aligns with Decade of Transformation

The new Army Chief said his priorities are inspired by the Defence Minister’s vision of the Decade of Transformation.

This long-term strategy aims to modernize India’s armed forces through technological advancement, structural reforms, indigenous manufacturing, and integrated military capabilities.

Under the leadership of General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief, the Indian Army is expected to accelerate reforms that improve combat readiness while strengthening India’s long-term defence preparedness.

The appointment of General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief as the 31st Chief of Army Staff signals the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian Army. His VIJAY doctrine—centered on Vigilance, Innovation, Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Yoddha First—offers a comprehensive roadmap for building a stronger, smarter, and more self-reliant military.

As India faces increasingly complex security challenges, the leadership of General Dhiraj Seth Army Chief is expected to focus on technological modernization, indigenous capability development, integrated operations, and soldier welfare. With these priorities, the Indian Army aims to remain a highly capable force prepared to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty well into the future.