Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has called for urgent modernisation of India’s military arsenal, underlining the importance of adopting tomorrow’s technology for today’s evolving warfare.
Speaking at a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in New Delhi on Wednesday, General Chauhan declared:
“We can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapon systems.”
Citing Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the CDS revealed that Pakistan deployed unarmed drones and loitering munitions, but none caused any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure, as they were successfully neutralised by kinetic and non-kinetic means.
Chauhan stressed the growing role of drones in modern conflicts, adding:
“Drones can disproportionately shift the tactical balance. Their use is not just a possibility — it is a reality we are already facing.”
He also warned that reliance on imported niche technologies undermines India’s strategic autonomy and readiness, and strongly advocated for indigenisation of critical drone and anti-drone technologies.
The CDS concluded by urging enhanced focus on both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures to prepare India for future aerial threats.
