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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in ability to see first, farthest, most accurately": Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, on Wednesday highlighted the strategic role of surveillance and electro-optic systems in the current combat scenarios and said that the decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in the ability to see first, see farthest, and see most accurately. Drawing parallels from recent global conflicts--including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas hostilities--Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the battlefield. Speaking at the Surveillance and Electro Optics India seminar, Air Marshal Dixit said, 'When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, and to our own experiences in Operation Sindoor, one truth emerges with crystal clarity: the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails.' 'This axiom has guided military thinking for centuries, but never has it been more relevant than in our current era of precision warfare and multi-domain operations,' he added. The Air Marshal referred to Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's readiness to adapt to these evolving realities. 'This brings me to the critical importance of deep surveillance in contemporary warfare. The lessons from Operation Sindoor have reinforced what military strategists have long understood but perhaps not fully appreciated until now. Modern warfare, thanks to technology, has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability,' he said. 'It has given a new meaning to simultaneity and non-linearity. The existing principles of war are being challenged, and new ones are emerging. Earlier, the horizon marked the limit of immediate threat. Today, precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless, as strikes with BVR AAMs and supersonic AGMs have become commonplace.' Air Marshal Dixit said that the rapidly advancing domain of surveillance and electro-optics is no longer just an operational enabler but has emerged as the very foundation of contemporary military strategy. Reflecting on the significant transformation in the field, Air Marshal Dixit noted that these technologies have shifted from being supplementary force multipliers to becoming central to how nations plan, execute, and dominate in future conflicts. 'As someone who has witnessed this transformation firsthand, I can attest that we stand at the cusp of a revolution that will redefine how we perceive, process and project power in the 21st century,' he said. He said, 'When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, he traditional concepts of front, rear and flanks combat zones and depth areas all become irrelevant. What we call the front and the theatre merge into one. This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have even imagined. We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within adversary territory. This existed as a concept even earlier but today we have the means to realise it.' Adding further, he said, 'The compressed timelines of modern warfare amplify this need. When hypersonic missiles can traverse hundreds of kilometres in minutes and drone swarms can reach their targets before traditional decision-making processes can respond, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just advantageous but essential for survival.' Air Marshal Dixit said that the speed of modern weapons has fundamentally altered the OODA loop, compressing it from hours to minutes, sometimes even seconds, and this new reality is being shaped by mega satellite constellations that are revolutionising battlefield awareness. 'The fusion of Electro-Optical, SAR and SIGINT capabilities now enables a 24x7 dynamic, persistent and predictive mosaic of the battlefield. We no longer merely observe; we anticipate, predict and pre-empt,' he said. 'As we look to the future, it becomes clear that government efforts alone cannot meet the pace of technological change we face. This is where our private sector emerges as a critical partner in our surveillance evolution. The dynamism, innovation and agility that characterise India's technology companies are precisely what we need to maintain our edge in this rapidly evolving domain. We need our private sector to push the boundaries in several critical areas. Integration of AI with electro-optic systems has the potential to revolutionise surveillance capabilities. AI-driven imaging seekers, automated threat recognition and predictive analytics can transform passive monitoring into active. and intelligent surveillance that anticipates rather than merely observes,' he said. He added, 'The development of multispectral, all-weather surveillance systems that can operate effectively in our diverse geographical and climatic conditions is essential. From the Siachen glacier to the hot arid deserts down to the Indian Ocean, our surveillance systems must maintain effectiveness across all environments. We also need scalable and interoperable systems that can seamlessly integrate with existing military networks while remaining flexible enough to accommodate future technologies. The days of standalone, siloed systems are behind us. The future belongs to networked, collaborative platforms that multiply rather than merely add capabilities.' Speaking at the seminar on national security, Lieutenant General Vineet Gaur, DG Capability Development, underscored the critical role of advanced surveillance in contemporary warfare. 'In today's modern era, advanced surveillance is not a luxury but a necessity. We witnessed its significance during the Kargil conflict, and its relevance has only grown in today's evolving security landscape,' he said. He further emphasised the increasing importance of space-based surveillance, particularly as the Indian Air Force undergoes a transformative phase. 'We are set to launch 52 satellites in the coming year, out of which 31 will be built by private sector firms,' he revealed. These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors, and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence preparedness. Air Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh highlighted the indispensable role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare, stating that enhanced battlefield imagery and superior monitoring capabilities have become vital components of military success. 'Advanced surveillance is no longer optional--it is essential in any modern conflict,' he said. 'Clearer imagery and stronger surveillance systems provide a critical edge on the battlefield.' He further stressed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) has emerged as a key element in today's combat environment. 'ISR is central to modern-day warfare, and Remotely Operated Systems (ROS) serve as its backbone,' he explained, adding that the importance of these systems has been demonstrated in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Referring to developments in West Asia, Air Vice Marshal Singh pointed to the use of unmanned aerial attack systems in Yemen, which have drawn global attention. 'These examples show that ISR capabilities are vital for achieving dominance in today's contested airspace,' he said. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in ability to see first, farthest, most accurately: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit , Deputy Chief of Air Staff, on Wednesday highlighted the strategic role of surveillance and electro-optic systems in the current combat scenarios and said that the decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in the ability to see first, see farthest, and see most parallels from recent global conflicts--including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war , the Russia-Ukraine conflict , and the ongoing Israel-Hamas hostilities--Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the at the Surveillance and Electro Optics India seminar, Air Marshal Dixit said, "When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, and to our own experiences in Operation Sindoor , one truth emerges with crystal clarity: the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails.""This axiom has guided military thinking for centuries, but never has it been more relevant than in our current era of precision warfare and multi-domain operations," he Air Marshal referred to Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's readiness to adapt to these evolving realities."This brings me to the critical importance of deep surveillance in contemporary warfare. The lessons from Operation Sindoor have reinforced what military strategists have long understood but perhaps not fully appreciated until now. Modern warfare, thanks to technology, has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability," he said."It has given a new meaning to simultaneity and non-linearity. The existing principles of war are being challenged, and new ones are emerging. Earlier, the horizon marked the limit of immediate threat. Today, precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless, as strikes with BVR AAMs and supersonic AGMs have become commonplace."Air Marshal Dixit said that the rapidly advancing domain of surveillance and electro-optics is no longer just an operational enabler but has emerged as the very foundation of contemporary military on the significant transformation in the field, Air Marshal Dixit noted that these technologies have shifted from being supplementary force multipliers to becoming central to how nations plan, execute, and dominate in future conflicts."As someone who has witnessed this transformation firsthand, I can attest that we stand at the cusp of a revolution that will redefine how we perceive, process and project power in the 21st century," he said, "When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, he traditional concepts of front, rear and flanks combat zones and depth areas all become irrelevant. What we call the front and the theatre merge into one. This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have even imagined. We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within adversary territory. This existed as a concept even earlier but today we have the means to realise it."Adding further, he said, "The compressed timelines of modern warfare amplify this need. When hypersonic missiles can traverse hundreds of kilometres in minutes and drone swarms can reach their targets before traditional decision-making processes can respond, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just advantageous but essential for survival."Air Marshal Dixit said that the speed of modern weapons has fundamentally altered the OODA loop, compressing it from hours to minutes, sometimes even seconds, and this new reality is being shaped by mega satellite constellations that are revolutionising battlefield awareness."The fusion of Electro-Optical, SAR and SIGINT capabilities now enables a 24x7 dynamic, persistent and predictive mosaic of the battlefield. We no longer merely observe; we anticipate, predict and pre-empt," he said."As we look to the future, it becomes clear that government efforts alone cannot meet the pace of technological change we face. This is where our private sector emerges as a critical partner in our surveillance evolution. The dynamism, innovation and agility that characterise India's technology companies are precisely what we need to maintain our edge in this rapidly evolving domain. We need our private sector to push the boundaries in several critical areas. Integration of AI with electro-optic systems has the potential to revolutionise surveillance capabilities. AI-driven imaging seekers, automated threat recognition and predictive analytics can transform passive monitoring into active. and intelligent surveillance that anticipates rather than merely observes," he added, "The development of multispectral, all-weather surveillance systems that can operate effectively in our diverse geographical and climatic conditions is essential. From the Siachen glacier to the hot arid deserts down to the Indian Ocean, our surveillance systems must maintain effectiveness across all environments. We also need scalable and interoperable systems that can seamlessly integrate with existing military networks while remaining flexible enough to accommodate future technologies. The days of standalone, siloed systems are behind us. The future belongs to networked, collaborative platforms that multiply rather than merely add capabilities."Speaking at the seminar on national security, Lieutenant General Vineet Gaur, DG Capability Development, underscored the critical role of advanced surveillance in contemporary warfare."In today's modern era, advanced surveillance is not a luxury but a necessity. We witnessed its significance during the Kargil conflict, and its relevance has only grown in today's evolving security landscape," he further emphasised the increasing importance of space-based surveillance, particularly as the Indian Air Force undergoes a transformative phase."We are set to launch 52 satellites in the coming year, out of which 31 will be built by private sector firms," he revealed. These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors, and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh highlighted the indispensable role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare, stating that enhanced battlefield imagery and superior monitoring capabilities have become vital components of military success."Advanced surveillance is no longer optional--it is essential in any modern conflict," he said. "Clearer imagery and stronger surveillance systems provide a critical edge on the battlefield."He further stressed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) has emerged as a key element in today's combat environment."ISR is central to modern-day warfare, and Remotely Operated Systems (ROS) serve as its backbone," he explained, adding that the importance of these systems has been demonstrated in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine to developments in West Asia, Air Vice Marshal Singh pointed to the use of unmanned aerial attack systems in Yemen, which have drawn global attention."These examples show that ISR capabilities are vital for achieving dominance in today's contested airspace," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Post Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Dixit says Ukraine-Russia, Israel conflicts show 'One who sees first...'
Delhi | Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit says, "...When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, and to our own experience in #OperationSindoor, one truth emerges with crystal clarity - the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails." Show more Show less
Euronews
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Armenia and Azerbaijan's leaders meet briefly in Tirana
Armenia and Azerbaijan's leaders held a brief discussion in Tirana on Friday during the European Political Community Summit. The Armenian government then issued a statement saying that both sides 'underlined the need for continued progress towards signing' the peace agreement between the two countries. 'The parties mutually emphasised the importance of finalising the text of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement. They discussed the current situation and underlined the need for continued progress toward signing,' the Armenian government press release said. A video from the EPC summit shows Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressing Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in the corridors of the EPC summit in what appears to be an impromptu encounter. In the video, Pashinyan says, 'Let's go have a coffee,' to which Aliyev replies, 'I'll come by after the talks.' Another video shows the two leaders having a seated conversation afterwards, surrounded by officials from both countries. The meeting signals a continuing momentum after the two South Caucasus rival neighbours announced in March that they had finalised the text of a historic peace agreement to end decades of war over the Karabakh region. The timeline for the conclusion of the agreement and its signing by both countries remains to be defined.
News18
15-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Made In Bengaluru, Rained Fire In Pakistan: Sneak Peek Into India's Sky Striker Drone
Last Updated: The 'silent killer', as it's popularly called, is an armed UAV that is battery operated, virtually soundless, boasts an endurance of 1-3 hours and can carry a payload of 5-10 kgs A silent revolution in warfare unfolded during Operation Sindoor, with a Bengaluru-born drone playing a pivotal role in dismantling terror infrastructure across the border. The 'Sky Striker', a lethal loitering munition manufactured by Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Security Systems, was deployed for the first time, showcasing India's growing prowess in technology-driven warfare. Tucked away in Bengaluru's Peenya Industrial Area, Alpha Design's facility has been quietly contributing to India's defence capabilities. The Sky Striker, already battle-tested in conflicts like the Israel-Palestine clashes and the Armenia-Azerbaijan skirmishes, was finally unleashed by the Indian armed forces, who had placed an order for 100 units back in 2021 following the Balakot strike. The 'silent killer", as it's popularly called, is an armed UAV that is battery operated and virtually soundless. It boasts an endurance of 1-3 hours and can carry a payload of 5-10 kgs, operating within a range of 80-100 km. 'Once launched, it has an electro-optic payload. So, it takes the input of the target and relates to the ground control system. The target location can be pinpointed and the attack launched," explained Chief Operating Officer Raghavendra Aroor. He added that the drone can also strike pre-fed GPS coordinates and remarkably, can be retrieved and reused, thanks to a parachute and airbag system. Highlighting its precision, Alpha Design CEO Hari Prasad stated, 'Its accuracy is one of the very good strong points. We are talking about a one-metre accuracy, high precision drone… It's a very, very powerful system with roughly about 5-10 kgs payload." Evading Radar: The Silent Threat The Sky Striker's effectiveness is amplified by its ability to evade radar detection. 'Firstly, the radar cross-section of this particular system is very, very minimal," revealed Aroor, showcasing a 1:1 scale model. He further elaborated that its low-level flight and battery operation contribute to its near invisibility on radar. 'If it is operated at night, the moment it picks up the target, it dives at such a fast rate that nobody can track it. So, that's why its success rate is almost 100 per cent." Lethal Precision Hari Prasad emphasised the drone's deadly dive capabilities. 'As it gets close to the target, it can have a very steep dive angle and the terminal velocity is very, very high. So, that makes even interception very difficult." Operation Sindoor underscored the effectiveness of indigenous defence technology, including the Sky Striker, Akash Teer, and Brahmos missiles. 'It has been produced in India for about three plus years now… and we have the full technology to produce a complete product in India," Prasad affirmed, highlighting their manufacturing hubs in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Strong Growth for Alpha Design Alpha Design Technologies, a key collaborator with the Indian armed forces, is witnessing significant growth. CFO Ramesh M said the company is projected to close FY 24-25 with a revenue of approximately Rs 1050 crore and a strong order book of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 crore, with expectations of adding another Rs 10,000 crore in the next fiscal year. The company boasts over 1,100 employees across various locations in India. The successful deployment of the Sky Striker underscores the growing strength of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, fueled by the 'Make in India' initiative. From initial roles as offset partners, Indian companies are now independently designing, developing, and manufacturing sophisticated defence equipment, paving the way for a self-reliant future in the sector. First Published: May 15, 2025, 14:15 IST
