'Can’t win today’s wars with yesterday’s weapons': CDS Anil Chauhan stresses need for indigenous arms

New Delhi: In the wake of Operation Sindoor that witnessed widespread military use of unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time in south east Asia, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Wednesday said self-reliance in drone technology is a “strategic imperative” for India as the country can’t win “today’s wars with yesterday’s weapons”.

Addressing a conference here, Gen Chauhan said UAVs had evolved as a “transformative force” that could shift the “tactical balance disproportionately.”

“For India, self-reliance in UAV and counter-UAV technologies is not only a strategic imperative, but also about safeguarding its interests and seizing the opportunities of the future,” he said.

Gen Chauhan’s comments come more than two months after the India-Pakistan conflict on the western front as Pakistan attacked Indian civilian and military establishments by launching UAVs in “waves” along with loitering munition and missile strikes.

"Most of them were neutralised through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means. Some of them could be recovered in almost intact conditions," he said.

The CDS said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the need for indigenous development of UAS and C-UAS technologies, tailored to India's terrain and needs.

"We cannot rely on imported niche technologies that are crucial for our offensive and defensive missions; we must invest, build and safeguard ourselves. Dependence on foreign technologies weakens our preparedness, limits our ability to scale up production, results in a shortfall of critical spares for sustenance and round-the-clock availability,” he said.

Gen Chauhan cautioned that foreign weapons, sensors and their capabilities are known to all, and adversaries can "predict our tactics and doctrinal concepts" based on the capabilities of these systems. "But, if it developed on our own, then an element of surprise can be added, at least in initial encounters."

Underlining the criticality of evolution in weapon developments, the CDS said war fighting equipment like rifles, tanks and aircraft were becoming smaller, faster, lighter, more efficient and more affordable. "In today's warfare, you cannot win with yesterday's weapon systems. Today's warfare has to be fought with tomorrow's technology," he said.

"Asymmetric drone warfare is making large platforms vulnerable and driving militaries to rethink the conceptual aspects of air doctrines, development of C-UAS and adaptive moves of engagement," he added.

The CDS spoke at a workshop on UAV & C-UAS systems, organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.