‘Can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapons’, says CDS Anil Chauhan as he cites ‘Operation Sindoor’

On Wednesday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized the critical necessity for India to upgrade its defence capabilities, stating that “current warfare must be conducted using future technology,” rather than relying on obsolete systems.

Addressing a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in New Delhi, the CDS emphasized the increasing significance of advanced technologies in contemporary warfare.

“We can’t win today’s warfare with yesterday’s weapon systems,” Anil Chauhan said. He added that India must reduce its reliance on foreign niche technologies critical to its strategic missions. “Dependence on imported technologies weakens our preparedness,” the CDS said.

While referring to India’s Operation Sindoor in May, General Chauhan said Pakistan deployed both unarmed drones and loitering munitions across the border. “Most of them were neutralised through kinetic and non-kinetic means,” he said.

“None of these UAVs caused any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure,” CDS Chauhan added.

Underlining the growing role of drones in modern conflicts, the CDS said, “Recent conflicts have shown how drones can disproportionately shift the tactical balance. Their use is not just a possibility — it is a reality we are already facing.”

The CDS emphasized the need for increased attention on both kinetic and non-kinetic counteractions to effectively address rising aerial threats, while underscoring the importance of indigenizing essential drone and anti-drone technologies.