New Delhi: The Indian Navy advanced weapons management platform project has entered a major new phase after the Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting Indian technology firms to participate in the development of a next-generation digital system for naval armament logistics and operations.
The move is part of India’s larger defence modernisation and indigenisation strategy aimed at improving operational readiness, cybersecurity, and long-term technological self-reliance.
Indian Navy Seeks Industry Participation For INAMS 2.0 Platform
According to the reports, the proposed system will be called the Indian Naval Armament Management System (INAMS) Version 2.0.
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It is expected to replace the current INAMS 1.0 platform that is being used across Naval Armament Depots (NADs) in India.
The upgraded platform will act as a central digital backbone for:
- Weapons management
- Ammunition tracking
- Explosives logistics
- Procurement processes
- Personnel administration
- Production planning
- Inventory coordination
The Navy wants the new system to improve integration between Naval Armament Depots and Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.
INAMS 2.0 Platform Expected To Support Around 1,200 Users
The Indian Navy stated that the upgraded system should support nearly 1,200 concurrent users across different defence establishments.
Key expected features include:
- Real-time logistics monitoring
- Secure weapons inventory tracking
- AI and machine learning capabilities
- Improved planning and coordination
- Advanced data protection systems
- Multi-layer cybersecurity architecture
The platform is also expected to simplify operational workflows and improve efficiency in handling sensitive armament-related data.
Strong Focus On Cybersecurity And Indigenous Control
One of the most important parts of the RFI is the emphasis on cybersecurity and national control over the software ecosystem.
The Navy has reportedly asked for:
- AES-256 encryption
- Multi-factor authentication
- Comprehensive cybersecurity audits
- Secure data storage architecture
The platform must also pass a security audit by the Indian Navy’s Naval Cyber Group before deployment approval is granted.
Another major clause states that the complete source code and intellectual property rights of the platform will eventually be transferred to the Indian Navy after delivery. This condition is aimed at ensuring long-term strategic control without dependency on external vendors.
INAMS 2.0 Platform: Five-Year Development Timeline Planned
The project is expected to run over a five-year period.
Proposed timeline:
- First 2 years:
- Development
- Testing
- Initial implementation
- Next 3 years:
- Operations support
- Maintenance
- System optimisation
The phased structure indicates that the Navy is planning a long-term digital transformation instead of a short-term software upgrade.
Part Of India’s Broader Naval Modernisation Strategy
The development comes at a time when the Indian Navy is rapidly expanding its indigenous technology programmes.
Recent initiatives include:
- Indigenous autonomous navigation software for unmanned surface vessels developed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
- Partnerships with Indian private industry and foreign defence firms for advanced mine countermeasure systems
- Stronger collaboration between the armed forces, academia, startups, and MSMEs for military technologies
The Navy has repeatedly highlighted its goal of becoming a fully future-ready force by 2047 through advanced digital systems, AI integration, and domestic defence manufacturing.
What is the Importance of INAMS 2.0 Platform
Defence experts believe the new platform could significantly improve India’s naval logistics capabilities.
Potential advantages:
- Faster armament coordination
- Better inventory visibility
- Reduced operational delays
- Improved cybersecurity resilience
- Stronger indigenous defence software ecosystem
- Reduced foreign technology dependence
The move also aligns with the government’s broader “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative focused on defence self-reliance.
