Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 16: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has sounded a clarion call for India to fast-track the development of indigenous drone and counter-drone systems, stating that the battlefield of tomorrow demands next-generation technology rooted in self-reliance.

Addressing a high-level gathering at the Manekshaw Centre on Wednesday, General Chauhan reflected on how modern warfare has undergone a paradigm shift — with drones and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) now defining the contours of conflict.

“Warfare has evolved from rifles to precision-guided systems, but nothing has changed the game more than drones,” he asserted. “From surveillance assets to combat enablers, they’ve transformed from passive eyes to lethal force multipliers.”

Drawing attention to Operation Sindoor — a recent military engagement on May 10 — the CDS revealed that Pakistan deployed unarmed drones and loitering munitions during the conflict. However, Indian forces effectively neutralised most of them using a mix of kinetic and electronic warfare methods, ensuring no harm to infrastructure or personnel.

The incident, he said, underlined the pressing need for advanced, integrated counter-UAV systems to secure India’s lower airspace.

“Drones may be small and stealthy, but they are rewriting the rules of engagement,” Gen Chauhan said. “They’re low-cost, hard to detect, and increasingly autonomous. Traditional military doctrines must adapt quickly.”

One of the core themes of his speech was the urgency of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence technology. He warned that reliance on imported drone systems could compromise operational security.

“Imported systems often have predictable specifications. Adversaries study them, and that’s a tactical vulnerability,” he cautioned. “Our battlefield advantage lies in indigenously developed platforms — designed by us, known only to us.”

He urged Indian defence innovators and policymakers to prioritise the development of homegrown drone fleets and electronic warfare infrastructure, reiterating that wars of the future will not be won with the legacy systems of the past.

“Modern threats demand modern solutions. Tomorrow’s conflicts won’t wait for yesterday’s technology,” the CDS concluded.

His remarks come as India accelerates its efforts to build a self-sustaining defence ecosystem amid the rising global use of drones in asymmetric warfare, surveillance, and targeted strikes.