NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has called for a decisive push towards modernizing India’s defence systems, stressing that future conflicts must be fought with future-ready technology. Speaking at a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in the national capital on Wednesday, General Chauhan reflected on the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, and reiterated the importance of indigenous defence capabilities.
“We can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapon systems; we must prepare to fight with tomorrow’s technology,” CDS Chauhan asserted, highlighting the need for the armed forces to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global security environment.
He strongly advocated for reducing India’s reliance on imported technologies, warning that such dependence compromises national preparedness. “Imported technologies, especially in niche defence sectors, weaken our strategic resilience. India must invest in and develop its own systems, tailored to our unique terrain and operational needs,” he said.
Recalling the May 10 incident during Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan revealed that Pakistan had deployed unarmed drones and loitering munitions, but the Indian forces effectively neutralised the threat without suffering any damage. “None of Pakistan’s drones inflicted any damage to either military or civilian infrastructure. Most of them were brought down using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, and some were recovered almost fully intact,” he said.
Operation Sindoor, according to General Chauhan, served as a crucial demonstration of the importance of indigenous counter-UAS systems. “This operation proved that we need homegrown systems designed specifically for our conditions. Investment in indigenous innovation is not optional—it is a necessity,” he stressed.
He also addressed the transformative role drones are playing in modern warfare. “Are drones bringing an evolutionary or revolutionary change to warfare? In my opinion, while their development has been evolutionary, their application on the battlefield has been revolutionary. We have seen this in multiple recent conflicts involving our armed forces,” the CDS observed.
General Chauhan’s comments come at a time when India is actively enhancing its unmanned aerial capabilities and developing homegrown counter-drone systems to meet emerging security threats from both state and non-state actors.
The workshop, attended by defence experts, industry leaders, and representatives from India’s research and development institutions, focused on creating self-reliant solutions in drone technology and defence systems—a key component of India’s broader “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) defence vision.
With the growing role of unmanned systems in surveillance, attack, and countermeasures, General Chauhan’s message was clear: the future of India’s security lies in embracing indigenous innovation and shedding dependency on foreign systems.
