'Operation Sindoor Gave Us Clear Idea': Air Force, Navy Chiefs Say Character Of War Changing

News18

29-05-2025

Last Updated:
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stressed that self-reliance in the defence industry is the only way forward in the current situation.
The Chief of the Air Force and Naval Staff on Thursday pointed out the changing character of warfare while noting that Operation Sindoor gave the armed forces a clear idea of what military power the country needs in future.
While Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh emphasised on the necessity of being self-reliant in the defence industry in the wake of the India-Pakistan conflict, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the lines between war and peace are getting increasingly blurred.
'There were times when we were always doubting the Indian industries that they could not give us the return that we want. We were looking outward more. But over the last decade, things have changed a bit. We realised that there are a lot of opportunities that we have within India. Also, the current situation in the world has made us realise that Aatmanirbharta is the only solution. We have to be now ready to be future-ready," Air Chief Marshal Singh said while addressing the CII Annual Business Summit, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other service chiefs were also present.
He said that the recent war was won by the whole of the nation approach.
'This war was won by the whole of a whole of nation approach. We have to be in a whole-of-nation mission mode to make sure that we accelerate and produce results," he said.
The IAF chief said that Operation Sindoor — a retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack — has given a clear idea about where the country needs in future.
'The character of war is changing. Every day, we are finding new technologies coming in. Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on…In future also, we will be able to deliver the goods as a nation and we will be able to achieve our objectives. AMCA- advanced medium combat aircraft has been cleared for even participation by private industry, which is a very big step, and that is the kind of confidence that the nation has in private industry today and I'm sure this is going to pave the way to bigger things coming in the future," he said.
Navy Chief Says Line Between War And Peace Increasingly Blurred
Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the character of warfare has undergone a rapid change and is continuing to do so.
'Firstly, the lines between war and peace are increasingly blurred. Secondly, the commercial technologies democratise warfare, making it available to non-state actors. Finally, moving into the era of precision, where highly accurate capabilities and in large numbers both remain important for us. We also know that non-traditional threats like acts of terror can spiral into a wider conflict. The use of non-contact warfare along with space and cyber domains to wage a conflict with no ceasefire is a new reality," he said.
First Published:
May 29, 2025, 13:02 IST