CDS General Anil Chauhan Leads Brainstorming Session on Defence R&D, Futuristic Technologies and Autonomous Systems
Image via ians
New Delhi | November 14 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan led key discussions on Defence Research and Development (R&D), Autonomous Systems, and Futuristic Technologies at the second edition of the Brainstorming Session (BSS 2.0) held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Friday.
The event, themed “Atmanirbharta in Defence – Leveraging Defence Industry Ecosystem for Future Warfare,” was jointly organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Focus on Atmanirbharta and Technological Leadership
Delivering the keynote address, General Chauhan highlighted the increasing role of indigenous innovation and the growing contributions of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), private industries, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
He underlined that India’s defence preparedness depends not only on the strength of its armed forces but also on the strength of its R&D ecosystem, technological self-reliance, and industry-academia partnerships.
“The vision of Atmanirbharta in defence must be anchored in innovation, collaboration, and speed,” the CDS said, emphasising that India’s industrial and scientific community must rise to meet the demands of modern warfare.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Calls for Stronger Domestic R&D
In his welcome address, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, stressed the importance of domestic technological advancement and enhanced R&D capacity.
“Our defence industries must be empowered to innovate and experiment. A stronger indigenous R&D base will define how India prepares for the wars of tomorrow,” he stated, urging deeper coordination among the military, industry, and research institutions.
The HQ IDS, in a post on X, reaffirmed that the BSS 2.0 aimed to “boost domestic industries with a focus on technological advancement and research-driven solutions.”
Three Core Sessions: R&D, Autonomous Systems, and Ammunition
The day-long session was structured around three dedicated panels that explored:
- Defence R&D and Futuristic Technologies
- Autonomous Systems
- Ammunition and Explosives
Each discussion brought together a cross-section of experts from Service Headquarters, Defence PSUs, DRDO, industry representatives, and academia.
Participants discussed emerging trends in multi-domain warfare, AI integration, precision weapons, and network-centric capabilities — all of which are reshaping global military doctrines.
A Platform for Policy, Industry, and Innovation
The brainstorming session served as a platform for policymakers, defence leaders, and private innovators to identify challenges, chart growth strategies, and formulate actionable plans for strengthening India’s defence ecosystem.
According to the official statement, the outcomes of the session will:
- Advance Atmanirbharta in defence technologies,
- Empower India’s leadership in next-generation warfare domains, and
- Enhance operational preparedness and industry capabilities across the defence spectrum.
The event saw participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, DPSUs, Service HQs, and the academic community, reflecting the government’s multi-stakeholder approach to self-reliance in defence.
CDS Anil Chauhan: “Technology Defines the Future Battlefield”
Earlier this week, at the Delhi Defence Dialogue, General Anil Chauhan delivered a special address on “Impact of Technology on Modern Warfare.” Citing recent operational experiences, he referred to “Operation Sindoor” as a prime example of modern hybrid warfare, where precision strikes, digitised intelligence, and multi-domain operations were effectively synchronised within a compressed timeframe.
“Technological superiority has become a decisive factor in determining success on the battlefield,” he said.
“Warfare remains fundamentally about securing victory — and those who lead in technology will ultimately prevail.”
His remarks underscored the CDS’s consistent focus on integrating advanced technology, automation, and innovation into India’s defence posture — from battlefield systems to strategic-level deterrence.
India’s Push for Future-Ready Defence Capabilities
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, India has accelerated its Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in the defence sector.
This includes:
- Boosting indigenous production under the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP 2020),
- Expanding the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework,
- Encouraging startups through Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), and
- Promoting co-development projects between the DRDO, Indian industry, and foreign technology partners.
These initiatives align with India’s broader goal to become a global defence manufacturing hub, while strengthening its readiness for future warfare scenarios that will increasingly rely on AI, robotics, cyber warfare, and autonomous systems.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Brainstorming Session 2.0 marks another step forward in India’s ongoing march toward strategic self-reliance and technological excellence. By bringing together military leadership, policymakers, and innovators, the forum reflects the evolving mindset within the Indian defence establishment — one that values speed, synergy, and indigenous innovation.
As General Anil Chauhan aptly highlighted, the future of warfare will belong to nations that combine technological ingenuity with operational readiness. With its growing defence ecosystem and visionary leadership, India appears determined to be one of them.