New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated a high-level Workshop and Exhibition on Indigenisation of Critical Components in UAV and C-UAS Systems at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, calling for strategic urgency in achieving self-reliance in these advanced warfare platforms.
Delivering the keynote address, the CDS General Anil Chauhan highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor, which showcased the operational success and strategic value of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS).
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General Chauhan emphasized that reliance on imported technologies weakens India’s long-term military preparedness and leaves vulnerabilities in sustained operations.
“There can be no compromise when it comes to defence autonomy. Indigenous systems, tailored to our mission and terrain, must form the backbone of our offensive and defensive capabilities,” General Chauhan asserted.
He warned against conventional thinking in an era where drone warfare is transforming the nature of conflict and urged the armed forces to invest in evolving doctrines and comprehensive counter-drone strategies. He called for building a multi-layered counter-UAS grid comprising radars, jammers, sensors, directed energy weapons, and integrated command and control systems.
Key Strategic Priorities Highlighted by CDS General Anil Chauhan:
- Scaling investment in defence R&D for next-generation unmanned systems
- Promoting modular, upgrade-ready system designs
- Establishing dedicated test beds for startups and DRDO labs
- Advancing stealth UAVs and MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) capabilities
- Accelerating innovation in swarm drones, AI integration, and directed energy weapons
Organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, the event marked a major step toward reducing reliance on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and accelerating Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence innovation.
The day-long program featured:
- Technical sessions with leading defence scientists and policymakers
- Live demonstrations of indigenous UAV and C-UAS systems
- Industry exhibition with participation from DRDO, armed forces, startups, and academia
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Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, concluded the event by summarizing actionable insights from the workshop.
He affirmed that the discussions will contribute directly to a national policy document focused on fast-tracking the indigenisation of UAV and counter-drone capabilities.
This initiative is a critical milestone in India’s vision to become a global hub for advanced, secure, and resilient military technologies, ensuring operational superiority in future conflict environments.
