Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday stressed the urgent need to build strong indigenous drone and counter-UAV capabilities in response to the evolving nature of warfare. Speaking at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, he highlighted that modern conflicts—especially as seen during ‘Operation Sindoor’—have shown a dramatic shift, with drones becoming key players on the battlefield.
He noted that while warfare has historically evolved—from heavy rifles to advanced long-range weapons—the biggest leap has been the use of drones. These have grown from simple surveillance tools to powerful force multipliers. Referring to Pakistan’s use of drones and loitering munitions during Operation Sindoor on May 10, he said most were neutralised without causing damage.
Gen Chauhan warned that lower airspace must now be secured, and outdated systems won’t suffice. He stressed the need for indigenous drone technology, arguing that reliance on imports poses strategic risks. “We must fight future wars with future-ready technology,” he said, urging accelerated domestic innovation in drone and counter-UAS systems.
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