CDS Anil Chauhan Emphasizes Urgent Need for Defense Modernization Amid Rising Drone Threats
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasized the urgency of modernizing India's defense capabilities by integrating advanced technologies to maintain an edge in contemporary warfare. Addressing a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in New Delhi, he asserted the necessity of employing futuristic technology for today’s combat scenarios.
General Chauhan cautioned against the dependence on outdated armaments and imported systems for critical operations. He stressed that using obsolete weapons compromises national readiness and resilience, stating, “We can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapon systems.”
Referencing Operation Sindoor, a recent pre-emptive strike by India on terror camps, Chauhan explained that Pakistan's attempted counteractions with unarmed drones and loitering munitions were largely unsuccessful. “Most of them were neutralised through kinetic and non-kinetic means,” he noted, highlighting that these UAVs caused no harm to Indian military or civilian targets.
General Chauhan pointed out that recent international conflicts have shown the rapid impact drones and autonomous systems can have on tactical advantages, underscoring the need for developing indigenous counter-drone technologies. He remarked that the use of drones is a present reality, not just a potential threat.
The CDS advocated for investment in both kinetic technologies such as laser-based weapons and electromagnetic guns, and non-kinetic methods like jamming and AI-driven detection systems. He called upon India’s defense sector and private innovators to expedite efforts in building scalable UAV and C-UAS platforms under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
His statements highlight a growing awareness among India’s military leaders that future warfare will increasingly involve unmanned systems, and only a swift technological evolution can ensure continued operational dominance.
