India’s military modernisation has stepped up pace, especially as it catches up with China in the aftermath of the 2020 standoff between the two countries in the Himalayas. From its traditional dependence on Russia, India has diversified its procurement over the past two decades and is now looking at the co-design and co-production of high-end military hardware. 

India is rapidly upgrading its defense capabilities with many military modernization projects worth billions of dollars currently in progress.

Importance of motivation and morale 

Modernisation of Indian Armed Forces involves the acquisition of platforms, technologies and weapon systems to upgrade and augment defense capabilities and is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational necessities and technological changes to keep the Indian armed forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges. The motivation of military personnel, at both individual and collective levels, is a fundamental basis of morale. Changes in internal states lead to changes in external reality. Physical reality can be influenced by thoughts, beliefs, and expectations, illustrating how attitude significantly affects a soldier’s overall state of mind, and their emotional and mental state is essential to maintaining balance in difficult situations and enhancing fighting capabilities.

Russia is understood to have one of the world’s best armies, second only to that of the US and has had victories. When Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022, many Western observers and governments expected a quick Russian victory but that did not happen. As the war with Ukraine continues into a fourth year, Putin’s presumptuous plans to seize Kyiv have failed miserably. Now in the fourth year Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) continue to stand and fight. So, what makes them fight against a superior and larger Russian Army in all respects?

Simple: Ukrainian soldiers battling the invasion have more to fight for than their Russian rivals, so morale is higher among some. Take for instance, Irina Muzychiuk, who may not always agree with the decisions her commanding officers make on the battlefield. But the former literature teacher, who volunteered to fight pro-Moscow separatists in 2014 and now serves in southern Ukraine sums it all; “I consider Self-Sacrifice and Motivation of Our Military’s as a main advantage…the factor that everyone understands that this is, first of all, a Fight for our native land, our home, for the future of their children,” she told Al Jazeera.

Conscription, or mandatory military service, was often required by nations to rapidly increase the size of their armed forces, especially during times of war or when voluntary recruitment proved insufficient to meet manpower needs.  Motivation is indeed crucial for an efficient workforce more so for the defense of a Nation. A motivated force is more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied with their work, leading to higher overall morale and success. Governments can boost armed forces motivation and morale through a combination of strategies, including ensuring adequate resources, fostering open communication, promoting a strong sense of purpose, and recognizing achievements, while also prioritizing the well-being and career development of service members.

Need for combat readiness

India lost the 1962 war to China because the Indian Army had inadequate resources, in trained manpower and weapon systems, infrastructure in the border areas for troop movements and logistics were absent along the international border. In the current situation, despite the disengagement of troops at Depsang and Demchok last year and ongoing diplomatic discussions, China continues to reinforce its military infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Reports highlight the construction of roads, bridges, and military outposts, particularly in strategic areas like Yangtse. While India is also now developing border infrastructure, any Chinese deviations are being addressed through official mechanisms. The Indian Army is now better prepared.

This is a quote from Arthashastra “While the citizenry of the State contributes to see that the State prospers and flourishes, the soldier guarantees it continues to exist as a State! To this man, O Rajadhiraja, you owe a debt: please, therefore, see to it, on your own, that the soldier continuously gets his dues in every form and respect, be they his needs or his wants, for he is not likely to ask for them himself.” The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya), is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Written during the Mauryan Empire, it serves as a comprehensive guide on governance, covering topics like administration, diplomacy, law, and taxation.

“It is not enough to fight. It is the spirit which we bring to the fight that decides the issue. It is morale that wins the victory” (Marshall, 1981, p. 2). As such, units with high morale seem to have a clear advantage in the successful execution of military assignments (Britt & Dickinson, 2006; Childs, 2016; Weakliem & Frenkel, 2006). This has been long been recognised by military leaders, who have routinely stated its importance to victory in battle (Bramall & Seldon, 2017; Marshall, 1981; Moran, 1945)”.

Apathy of authorities

There has been increased interest in the nature of this advantage in recent years, especially in extreme environments such as international missions and sustained fighting over long periods. A nation may be considered as composed of three elements: (1) the civil population, (2) the leaders, both political and military, and (3) the armed forces. They are all important and interdependent for a strong nation. National power depends, first, on the inherent physical, intellectual and moral health of the people, and second, on the methods by which the lines along which this inherent strength of the people is used to develop the national power to insure its execution.

The apathy of the authorities and civil society in a recent incident when drunk policemen in the Indian state of Punjab assaulted a serving colonel of the Indian Army  at an eatery is appalling to say the least. Such public apathy, surely, does not enhance the morale of a soldier.

The times are different from when Caesar had to use all his powers to increase the morale of his legions, which frequently mutinied and broke in panic in action. Today, for India, when wars have also to be fought in the conventional way in our western and northern borders, a comprehensive approach to sustain morale covers social, psychological, and logistical aspects, thus creating a favorable environment for the optimal performance of military personnel’s activities.

(The author is an Indian Army veteran and contemporary affairs commentator. The views are personal. He can be reached at kl.viswanathan@gmail.com)