Emphasising the need to swiftly adapt to disruptive technologies, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday called for rethinking legacy structures and prioritising synergy across the three services to tackle challenges posed by the constantly evolving nature of warfare.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural edition of the Annual Trident Lecture Series, organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the CDS underscored the importance of technological convergence and integrated operations in ensuring national security.
Highlighting how the nature of warfare is undergoing a paradigm shift, General Chauhan noted that modern conflicts are increasingly shaped by political objectives, blurring the lines between war and peace.
“War and politics are closely related. Wars are often fought to achieve political purposes. Today, we are witnessing short, precise wars—like Operation Sindoor—where political goals are met through rapid and targeted action,” he said.
Outlining India’s firm stance on terrorism, the CDS made it clear that terrorists can no longer find sanctuary, even within Pakistan. “They will be targeted. We are prepared to act decisively against any act of violence,” he asserted.
On Operation Sindoor, General Chauhan described it as a high-speed, high-impact precision strike carried out by the Indian Armed Forces.
“The mission did not involve capturing territory or engaging civilian populations. It was designed to deliver a decisive blow within a very short timeframe. It was about speed and tempo—creating maximum impact without traditional ground engagement,” he explained.
“We can no longer rely solely on 500 kg bombs. The time has come for heavier, more effective payloads and highly precise targeting,” he added.
The event also marked the release of the first General Bipin Rawat Paper on Manned-Unmanned Teaming, a tribute to India’s first CDS and his enduring contribution to joint operational strategy and transformative defence thinking.
The August 2025 issue of Synergy, CENJOWS’ flagship journal, was also launched, featuring incisive articles on emerging strategic trends.
As part of the programme, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff delivered a lecture on ‘Urgency in Tri-Services Reforms’, emphasising critical timelines and institutional steps necessary for meaningful change in the defence establishment.