Madhya Pradesh: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan delivered the keynote address at RAN SAMWAD, a first-of-its-kind Tri-Service seminar on war, warfare, and warfighting, held at the Army War College. The seminar, themed “Impact of Technology on Warfare”, brought together serving military professionals to engage in strategic dialogue on the evolving nature of conflict.
General Chauhan emphasised that the battlefields of the future will transcend traditional service boundaries, necessitating swift, decisive, and integrated responses across all domains. He underscored that jointness is not merely a structural imperative but a foundational principle for India’s transformation into a future-ready defence force.
Highlighting the importance of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence and integrated logistics, the CDS stated that these elements will be critical to achieving operational superiority in future conflicts. He called for the institutionalisation of joint training and the rapid assimilation of emerging technologies—including Artificial Intelligence, Cyber capabilities, and Quantum computing—to enhance combat effectiveness.
General Chauhan reiterated the importance of robust civil-military integration and reaffirmed the commitment to developing Sudarshan Chakra, India’s indigenous missile defence system. Envisioned as both “a shield and a sword,” the system will serve as a strategic deterrent and a force multiplier in multi-domain operations.
Invoking the wisdom of Kautilya, the CDS noted that while India has historically been a source of strategic thought, there remains a paucity of scholarly literature on Indian wars and military strategy. He called for rigorous research into the dimensions of war, leadership, morale, and technology, stating: “India must be Sashakt, Surakshit, Aatmanirbhar, and Viksit. This vision can only be realised through the collective efforts of all stakeholders in building future-ready forces.”
General Chauhan also highlighted the purpose of RAN SAMWAD as a platform for operational practitioners—particularly young and mid-level officers—to contribute their perspectives on technological advancements and strategic innovation. He stressed the need to foster an ecosystem where new ideas harmonise with the experience of seasoned personnel.
The two-day seminar will conclude with a plenary address by the Honourable Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh. During the event, several Joint Doctrines and the Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap are scheduled to be released, further shaping India’s integrated warfighting doctrine.
