Can’t win modern wars with outdated weapons, says CDS

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan today said India could not win modern wars with outdated weapons, underscoring the need to adopt future-ready technology, primarily through indigenous development.

“Modern warfare has evolved, with weapons and combat equipment becoming smaller, faster, more efficient and cost-effective. The old, bulky rifles have been replaced by compact, lightweight weapons with extended range. This trend extends to tanks and aircraft, which are now faster and offer enhanced protection,” said General Chauhan. He was addressing a workshop on 'Indigenisation of critical components', hosted by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with think-tank Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.

In another significant development, the General offered new insights into how Pakistani drone attack was countered during Operation Sindoor on May 10. “The enemy deployed drones and loitering munitions, but couldn’t harm our military or civil infrastructure. Most of their weapons were neutralised through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means, with some even recovered almost intact,” the CDS said.

Stressing the need for self-reliance in warfare technology, the General asked domestic drone manufacturers to stop using foreign software or hardware. “We cannot rely on imported technologies that are crucial for our offensive and defensive missions. We must invest, build and safeguard ourselves," he said.

General Chauhan said foreign weapons, sensors and their capabilities were known to all and adversaries could "predict tactics and doctrinal concepts based on the capabilities of these systems”.

“Dependence on foreign technologies weakens preparedness, limits our ability to scale up production and often leads to a shortfall of critical spares, he said.

Sources said the CDS had been working on plans to ensure indigenous hardware and software for controlling drones. The armed forces want three crucial technologies in future drones: secure communication using software-defined radios, GPS-free operations and the ability to beat the jamming of radio signals by the enemy.

Also, a comprehensive framework has been set up to filter out any software or hardware of Chinese origin in drones being supplied to the armed forces.

“Drones can shift tactical balance disproportionately and self-reliance in the field is a strategic imperative for India. Asymmetric drone warfare is making large platforms vulnerable and driving militaries to rethink the conceptual aspects of air doctrines," the General said.

The event, which was aimed at developing a “strategic roadmap” for indigenisation, was attended by military leaders, defence experts, scientists, policymakers and private industry stakeholders.