Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (Retd.) believes that despite the changing character of warfare, tanks and aircraft carriers continue to remain relevant, provided they evolve to meet emerging battlefield challenges.
During a recent interaction with The Print, the former CDS, while referring to the growing threat posed by drones and long-range precision weapons, said tanks must adapt by significantly extending their strike range and integrating advanced technologies.
"A tank actually uses its main gun to inflict battle to about 1, 5, 3 kilometres. If it is a missile, 4 kilometres. So, they will have to change how to fight," he was quoted as saying.
According to Gen. Chauhan, future tanks should be integrated with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and equipped with drones so they can detect and engage enemy armour from much greater distances.
"They will have to put in, get integrated with their ISR, get drones mounted on that. So, they can actually defeat armour of the opposing side at 40, 50 kilometres away. So, you have to increase the range, firepower of this gun from 3 kilometres to 20, 25 kilometres, which is possible," he said.
He also stressed the need for tanks to operate as part of a networked battlefield, allowing them to identify friendly and enemy platforms and engage targets more effectively.
"That means every tank should be networked. It should be aware as to who is where... So, if you are able to do that, then the utility of this platform will remain."
Gen. Chauhan added that tank designs would also need to be modified to better withstand top-attack threats, noting that drones increasingly exploit the vehicle's most vulnerable area.
"Obviously, we need to modify the design to save it from top attack. Which is a profile where the tank is the weakest. And that is the area which drones use."
On aircraft carriers, the former CDS argued that their importance extends well beyond combat operations, saying they play a vital role in deterrence and projecting national power during peacetime.
"These large capital ships are required to demonstrate your strength. They are important because fighting is one part. It may not happen at whatever point of time, but you need to secure the nation," he said.
He added that aircraft carriers help maintain India's presence in the Indian Ocean Region, preventing strategic space from being occupied by others.
While acknowledging the growing importance of submarines in modern naval warfare, Gen. Chauhan said they cannot replace aircraft carriers.
"Obviously, today warfare is moving subsurfaces. So a submarine is a good platform. But that doesn't do away with the requirement of an aircraft carrier."
He said aircraft carriers continue to serve as a powerful deterrent because of their constant presence in the region.
"If your presence is there with those aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean region they are a large force of deterrence," he said.
