Drones are reshaping warfare economics with low-cost, high-impact solutions, said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan while delivering the keynote address at a seminar on 'UAS Warfare with Special Focus on Counter-UAS' hosted by Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
Emphasising the transformative impact of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in modern warfare, the CDS said the systems exploit celerity, robotics advancements, and AI-driven intelligence to become a highly disruptive force on battlefields.
The CDS postulated the need to establish a common vocabulary and grammar on UAS/drones/uncrewed systems by the Indian armed forces, and called for doctrinal clarity in UAS classification. He outlined four generations of UAS and the need for developing holistic counter-UAS systems.
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The seminar brought together experts from the armed forces, strategic policymakers, industry leaders, and domain specialists to deliberate on the latest advancements in UAS and evolving counter-UAS strategies. They offered in-depth analysis on India’s drone requirements, AI integration in drone warfare, and key lessons from ongoing global conflicts.
The seminar underscored India's progress in drone warfare, with a focus on indigenous development and self-reliance.
Discussions were focused on the increasing manifestation of drone threats along India's northern and western borders, as well as in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Leading defence industry representatives, including JSW UAV ltd, Mahindra Defence, Adani Defence Systems, Kepler Aerospace, and Shyam VNL Pvt Ltd, presented cutting-edge solutions for counter-UAS warfare during the event.