Srinagar, July 16: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday emphasised the critical need for India to modernise its defence capabilities, stating that contemporary conflicts must be tackled with advanced technologies rather than outdated weapon systems. Speaking at a workshop on UAV and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) indigenisation in New Delhi, he said, “We cannot fight today’s wars with yesterday’s tools.”
Highlighting the increasing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare, General Chauhan pointed out that India must reduce dependence on imported niche technologies that are essential for strategic operations, as reliance on foreign systems undermines national preparedness.
Referring to Operation Sindoor in May, he noted Pakistan’s use of unarmed drones and loitering munitions along the border — most of which were successfully neutralised by India using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. He stressed that recent conflicts worldwide have demonstrated how drones can significantly alter battlefield dynamics, urging a rapid and self-reliant technological upgrade.
