Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need to modernise India’s defence systems, stating that “today’s warfare has to be fought with tomorrow’s technology” and not with outdated equipment.
Speaking at a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in New Delhi, General Chauhan called for rapid advancements in indigenous defence capabilities to tackle the evolving nature of global conflicts.
“We can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapon systems,” he asserted.
He warned that reliance on imported niche technologies continues to weaken India’s strategic posture, especially as drone warfare becomes increasingly common on the modern battlefield.
“Dependence on imported technologies weakens our preparedness,” he said.
Operation Sindoor: Lessons from Pakistan’s Drone Use
Citing Operation Sindoor in May, Chauhan revealed that Pakistan deployed both unarmed drones and loitering munitions across the border.
“Most of them were neutralised through kinetic and non-kinetic means,” he noted.
“None of these UAVs caused any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure,” the CDS added.
Drones: A Tactical Game-Changer
Chauhan stressed the increasing relevance of drones in shifting tactical balances, referencing conflicts worldwide where unmanned systems have tipped the scale in favor of more technologically agile forces.
“Recent conflicts have shown how drones can disproportionately shift the tactical balance. Their use is not just a possibility — it is a reality we are already facing,” he said.
Call for Indigenous Solutions
In light of growing aerial threats, the CDS urged the development of both kinetic (missiles, guns) and non-kinetic (jamming, hacking) countermeasures, underscoring the necessity for homegrown innovations in the field of UAVs and anti-drone systems.
“Indigenisation of critical technologies is no longer optional — it is essential for our sovereignty and security,” Chauhan concluded.
As drone warfare and surveillance continue to evolve, India’s defence leadership appears increasingly focused on ensuring the country is not left behind in the next generation of combat readiness.