CDS Anil Chauhan highlights transformational changes in modern warfare for Indian Army

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan spoke to an audience at the International Centre on Wednesday, stressing how technical breakthroughs have revolutionized contemporary combat.

He emphasized in his speech at the C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium the need for the Indian Armed Forces to accept these developments and make doctrinal adjustments.

First and foremost, we need to make conceptual or doctrinal adjustments to the way we fight future conflicts. Let me list some of the most important theological adjustments that will be required. For example, we could need a combined targeting grid and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance).

Additionally, cross-domain targeting and command may be crucial, with the Air Force perhaps controlling naval assets as needed or using them for targeting. Future warfare would need the integration of marine domain knowledge, including seabed awareness, with aerial awareness,” he said.

General Chauhan emphasized the value of working with academics and military commanders to create novel concepts to meet emerging combat paradigms, such as data-centric warfare. He also emphasized how organizational structures need to evolve.

“We will need unique ideas and conceptions to build these notions and doctrines—not just modifications of Western models. This will need in-depth research from academic institutions and our officers, who ought to be at the forefront of this expansion. Furthermore, this framework calls for structural and organizational adjustments,” he said.

He emphasized that in order to enable a more integrated approach to operations, the establishment of theater commands would need a distinct force basis.

“Integrated theater commands, which would serve as the basis for this change, have previously been discussed. Force application and force creation are kept separate in the integrated theater command approach. One service chief now oversees each of these aspects. However, leading a technologically sophisticated Air Force or an army of 12 lakh soldiers is a huge undertaking.

A fully integrated strategy would be made possible by a distinct person in charge of force application who would have command over all Army, Navy, Air Force, space, and cyber forces. He went on to say, “The next stage of reforms is just getting started with theater command.”

The need of unified structures for ISR, logistics, and air defense networks—all of which have evolved separately but now need to be integrated across the Army, Navy, and Air Force—was also emphasized by the CDS.

“Whether for air defense networks, logistics, or ISR, joint structures are crucial. Although these technologies have evolved independently, the Army, Navy, and Air Force now need to integrate them,” he said.

A phased plan for the Indian Armed Forces till 2047 was presented by General Chauhan. Achieving excellence between 2037 and 2047, consolidating changes from 2027 to 2037, and transitioning until 2027 are all included in the strategy.

“Our vision is to be an integrated, all-domain force, dynamic in capabilities, and ready to respond across the full spectrum of conflict to protect national interests,” he said.