In a significant address to officers of the Headquarters Southern Air Command, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan highlighted pressing security and defense challenges facing the nation. His remarks were particularly centered on the ongoing defense reforms and the evolution of warfare, reinforcing the government’s commitment to modernize the armed forces.
General Chauhan asserted that the current year marks a pivotal moment for defense reforms, urging military personnel to shed a colonial mindset in favor of a more agile and self-reliant approach. He emphasized the necessity of preparing for future conflicts, which increasingly rely on net-centric warfare strategies that integrate cyber security and space capabilities into military operations.
As part of the event, the CDS also delivered the concluding remarks at the Tri-Services Seminar titled ‘Synergising Air and Naval Forces – Enhancing Combat Power in the Indian Ocean Region’. This important seminar was organized by HQ Southern Air Command in collaboration with the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), and served as a platform for discussing vital themes in contemporary warfare.
Key topics addressed during the seminar included the expanding domains of warfare, which recognize the evolving nature of military conflicts, particularly in cyber, space, and hybrid warfare realms. Additionally, discussions focused on maritime security and the integration of air-sea capabilities, highlighting the need for seamless coordination between the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force to maintain dominance in the strategic theatre of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
A special emphasis was placed on technology-driven transformation, particularly regarding the emergence of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and autonomous systems. General Chauhan articulated that future conflicts will occur in multifaceted environments, necessitating improved collaboration among land, air, naval, cyber, and space forces.
At the seminar, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, delivered the keynote address, while Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Air Command, opened the proceedings, setting the stage for critical discussions.
General Anil Chauhan’s insights and vision for a future-ready Indian Armed Forces were clear: a call to embrace transformational reforms. He described the need for a joint, technology-driven military structure adaptable to emerging security challenges. His remarks underscored an overarching goal of building a robust, integrated, and self-reliant military, poised to guard national interests in an increasingly complex and unpredictable strategic landscape.
