Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday said recent conflicts globally have demonstrated how drones can “shift tactical balance disproportionately”, and asserted that self-reliance in UAVs and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) is a “strategic imperative” for future warfare for India.

In his address at an event held at Manekshaw Centre here, general Chauhan also said Operation Sindoor has shown why indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and C-UAS “built for our terrain and our needs are crucial”. The CDS emphasised that Operation Sindoor has “shown us as to why indigenously developed UAS, C-UAS built for our terrain and our needs are crucial”. 

Underlying the ethos of Atmanirbharta, he asserted that “we cannot rely on imported niche technologies that are crucial for our offensive and defensive missions”. “Dependence on foreign technologies weakens our preparedness, limits our ability to scale up production, results in a shortfall of critical spares for sustenance and round-the-clock availability,” he added.