India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has told a gathering of ASEAN defence ministers that New Delhi stands ready to share practical counter-terrorism experience gained through decades of confronting cross-border threats, and after Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday, Rajnath Singh said India’s expertise was “not theoretical classroom knowledge” but “an experience hard-earned on the ground”. He described every Indian strategy as having been tested, refined and proven in real-world operations.&nbsp;He pointed to Operation Sindoor as a decisive demonstration of India’s “proactive, battle-tested doctrine”, in which terrorist infrastructure was dismantled and a “non-negotiable red line” enforced against state-sponsored terror. Terrorism, he stressed, “knows no borders”, and India was prepared to strengthen collective capabilities through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing. Operation Sindoor was India's counter terror operation inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-us-defence-ministers-set-for-bilateral-talks-in-philippines-1793113751704">India and US defence ministers set for bilateral talks in Philippines</a>&nbsp;Counter-terrorism remains a priority under the ADMM-Plus framework. India and Malaysia are co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.&nbsp;Indian Defence minister reaffirmed India’s support for ASEAN centrality and a “secure, open, inclusive, resilient and rule-based Indo-Pacific”. He said India’s engagement with ASEAN was long-term and rooted in shared interests, mutual respect and practical cooperation. He recalled that the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last October had reaffirmed commitment to the defence and security elements of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030.&nbsp;The ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, including India, China, the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia and New Zealand.&nbsp;Maritime cooperation featured prominently. India has designated 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and is conducting the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Rajnath Singh said India was a “steadfast practitioner” of international maritime law, not merely a preacher of its tenets. He highlighted the Indian Navy’s continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, during which it has escorted thousands of merchant vessels and thwarted dozens of high-seas hijackings, protecting commercial shipping regardless of flag or nationality.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-raises-concerns-over-us-f-16-upgrades-for-pakistan-in-defence-talks-with-hegseth-1793182601155">India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raises concerns over US F-16 upgrades for Pakistan in defence talks with Hegseth</a>&nbsp;India’s emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation and overflight, he said, “is not directed against any country” but is intended to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders who depend on open sea lanes. India continues to position itself as a “reliable net security provider” in the Indian Ocean Region and wider Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;Minister Singh also proposed the creation of a dedicated defence “Youth Bridge” to strengthen India-ASEAN people-to-people connectivity, promote digital innovation and support capacity building. He said empowering youth aligned with the theme of “Youth, Peace and Security” and was essential for a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Counter-terrorism remains a key priority under ADMM-Plus, with India and Malaysia co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has told a gathering of ASEAN defence ministers that New Delhi stands ready to share practical counter-terrorism experience gained through decades of confronting cross-border threats, and after Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday, Rajnath Singh said India’s expertise was “not theoretical classroom knowledge” but “an experience hard-earned on the ground”. He described every Indian strategy as having been tested, refined and proven in real-world operations. He pointed to Operation Sindoor as a decisive demonstration of India’s “proactive, battle-tested doctrine”, in which terrorist infrastructure was dismantled and a “non-negotiable red line” enforced against state-sponsored terror. Terrorism, he stressed, “knows no borders”, and India was prepared to strengthen collective capabilities through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing. Operation Sindoor was India's counter terror operation inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack. Also read: India and US defence ministers set for bilateral talks in Philippines Counter-terrorism remains a priority under the ADMM-Plus framework. India and Malaysia are co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle. Indian Defence minister reaffirmed India’s support for ASEAN centrality and a “secure, open, inclusive, resilient and rule-based Indo-Pacific”. He said India’s engagement with ASEAN was long-term and rooted in shared interests, mutual respect and practical cooperation. He recalled that the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last October had reaffirmed commitment to the defence and security elements of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030. The ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, including India, China, the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia and New Zealand. Maritime cooperation featured prominently. India has designated 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and is conducting the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Rajnath Singh said India was a “steadfast practitioner” of international maritime law, not merely a preacher of its tenets. He highlighted the Indian Navy’s continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, during which it has escorted thousands of merchant vessels and thwarted dozens of high-seas hijackings, protecting commercial shipping regardless of flag or nationality. Also read: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raises concerns over US F-16 upgrades for Pakistan in defence talks with Hegseth India’s emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation and overflight, he said, “is not directed against any country” but is intended to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders who depend on open sea lanes. India continues to position itself as a “reliable net security provider” in the Indian Ocean Region and wider Indo-Pacific. Minister Singh also proposed the creation of a dedicated defence “Youth Bridge” to strengthen India-ASEAN people-to-people connectivity, promote digital innovation and support capacity building. He said empowering youth aligned with the theme of “Youth, Peace and Security” and was essential for a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Counter-terrorism remains a key priority under ADMM-Plus, with India and Malaysia co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offers battle-tested counter-terror expertise from Operation Sindoor to ASEAN partners

India is reorganising the security of its critical infrastructure as drones, cyberattacks and precision weapons increasingly threaten facilities essential to the functioning of a modern economy.<h3>CISF</h3>The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is one of India's seven Central Armed Police Forces, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established in 1969, it is responsible for securing some of the country's most sensitive and strategically important installations. The CISF guards airports, nuclear power plants, space research facilities, major seaports, oil refineries, power stations, coal and steel installations, and key government buildings, including the Parliament complex.<h3>CISF's structural overhaul</h3>Beginning November 1, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will shift towards specialised supervisory commands for power, petroleum, natural gas, coal, steel and ports. Eight of its 11 supervisory sectors are being reorganised. The move will allow officers to develop expertise in protecting particular industries rather than overseeing different installations simply because they fall within the same geographical region. Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, former CISF Director General O.P. Singh said the restructuring reflects the changing nature of national security threats. "In modern warfare, a nation need not lose territory to suffer strategic defeat," Singh said, explaining how disruptions to fuel supplies, ports and industrial production could have consequences far beyond the immediate target.&nbsp;WATCH:&nbsp;<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6gAO_QIOJw&amp;list=PLKwyKu6LhauQ&amp;index=7"></oembed></figure><h3>Why drones are changing infrastructure security</h3>Singh identified low-cost drones as a growing concern because they can conduct surveillance, carry payloads and probe security arrangements. Multiple drones operating together, he explained, could complicate detection and response. The CISF is already developing a drone and anti-drone Centre of Excellence at Behror in Rajasthan. Its expanded counter-drone role could become increasingly important as similar facilities adopt specialised security procedures. But the threats extend beyond unmanned aircraft. Singh warned that cyberattacks, physical sabotage and misinformation could combine to disrupt operations even when an installation's perimeter remains secure. He also acknowledged an important limitation. The CISF cannot intercept incoming missiles, but it can strengthen preparedness, protect personnel, support evacuations and help restore secure operations.<h3>Why a single attack could have wider consequences</h3>Singh highlighted the interconnected nature of India's infrastructure. An attack on a refinery could disrupt fuel availability. Damage to a power grid could affect communications, while disruption at a port could interrupt imports and industrial supply chains. He stressed that the restructuring had been planned for some time and was not a direct response to any recent unrest. For the CISF, the operational priority is increasingly clear. Protecting strategic installations must also mean ensuring that essential services can continue functioning during a crisis. &nbsp;

The CISF guards airports, nuclear power plants, space research facilities, major seaports, oil refineries, power stations, coal and steel installations, and key government buildings, including the Parliament complex.

India is reorganising the security of its critical infrastructure as drones, cyberattacks and precision weapons increasingly threaten facilities essential to the functioning of a modern economy. CISF The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is one of India's seven Central Armed Police Forces, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established in 1969, it is responsible for securing some of the country's most sensitive and strategically important installations. The CISF guards airports, nuclear power plants, space research facilities, major seaports, oil refineries, power stations, coal and steel installations, and key government buildings, including the Parliament complex. CISF's structural overhaul Beginning November 1, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will shift towards specialised supervisory commands for power, petroleum, natural gas, coal, steel and ports. Eight of its 11 supervisory sectors are being reorganised. The move will allow officers to develop expertise in protecting particular industries rather than overseeing different installations simply because they fall within the same geographical region. Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, former CISF Director General O.P. Singh said the restructuring reflects the changing nature of national security threats. "In modern warfare, a nation need not lose territory to suffer strategic defeat," Singh said, explaining how disruptions to fuel supplies, ports and industrial production could have consequences far beyond the immediate target. WATCH: Why drones are changing infrastructure security Singh identified low-cost drones as a growing concern because they can conduct surveillance, carry payloads and probe security arrangements. Multiple drones operating together, he explained, could complicate detection and response. The CISF is already developing a drone and anti-drone Centre of Excellence at Behror in Rajasthan. Its expanded counter-drone role could become increasingly important as similar facilities adopt specialised security procedures. But the threats extend beyond unmanned aircraft. Singh warned that cyberattacks, physical sabotage and misinformation could combine to disrupt operations even when an installation's perimeter remains secure. He also acknowledged an important limitation. The CISF cannot intercept incoming missiles, but it can strengthen preparedness, protect personnel, support evacuations and help restore secure operations. Why a single attack could have wider consequences Singh highlighted the interconnected nature of India's infrastructure. An attack on a refinery could disrupt fuel availability. Damage to a power grid could affect communications, while disruption at a port could interrupt imports and industrial supply chains. He stressed that the restructuring had been planned for some time and was not a direct response to any recent unrest. For the CISF, the operational priority is increasingly clear. Protecting strategic installations must also mean ensuring that essential services can continue functioning during a crisis.

The CISF guards airports, nuclear power plants, space research facilities, major seaports, oil refineries, power stations, coal and steel installations, and key government buildings, including the Parliament complex.

India's CISF prepares for drone warfare and attacks on strategic infrastructure

The US Army now has a new autonomous warfare command. It's called the Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). It marks a major push towards robotic warfare, but retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan believes the transformation also exposes serious shortcomings in America's preparedness against drone attacks.The US Army's newly announced FASCOM aims to accelerate autonomous warfare capabilities, bringing together technological development, experimentation, training and procurement.&nbsp;<h2>Iran War Exposes US Military's Drone Defence Failures</h2>&nbsp;Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse, I asked General Ryan&nbsp;whether FASCOM represented an acknowledgment of American military shortcomings during the Iran conflict, he said it was partly a response to the failure to counter Iranian Shahed drones."They were caught short with drone defences," he said, adding that the threat was "entirely predictable." He was particularly critical of Western militaries for failing to absorb lessons from Ukraine. "I think this was a gross failure of humility in the U.S. as well as Western military organisations," he said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/india-s-naval-priorities-ex-navy-chief-calls-for-third-aircraft-carrier-more-warships-and-submarines-1792073185585">India’s naval priorities: Ex-Navy Chief calls for third aircraft carrier, more warships and submarines</a>&nbsp;Gen. Ryan argued that military transformation must extend beyond acquiring autonomous weapons to changing battlefield tactics, training and institutional structures.&nbsp;<h2>What India and Australia Must Learn</h2>&nbsp;With China rapidly developing autonomous military capabilities, Gen. Ryan suggested India and Australia should closely examine America's new command structure."I think countries like Australia and India will hopefully have liaison officers embedded in the U.S. Army," he said. He also recommended that both countries establish similar commands to accelerate drone warfare capabilities across their armed forces. Such structures, Ryan argued, could help military organisations adapt more rapidly to emerging technologies and battlefield requirements.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/flying-wedge-unveils-fwd-supreme-as-india-s-ai-combat-aircraft-programme-takes-shape-1791990297097">Flying Wedge unveils FWD Supreme as India’s AI combat aircraft programme takes shape</a><h2>Tanks, Drones and the Future Battlefield</h2>&nbsp;Gen.&nbsp;Ryan also warned that traditional armoured warfare faces unprecedented challenges from persistent drone surveillance. Drawing on Ukraine's experience, he explained that forces may need prolonged suppression of enemy drones before deploying armoured vehicles, even in small numbers.&nbsp;Modern tanks and armoured vehicles, he noted, produce substantial physical, thermal and electromagnetic signatures, making concealment increasingly difficult.On counter-drone warfare, he rejected the idea of a single technological solution, advocating layered defences combining sensors, electronic warfare, interceptor drones and conventional weapons.&nbsp;His assessment carries particular importance for India as it expands indigenous drone development and evaluates how autonomous systems should be integrated into military formations.

US Army launches FASCOM for robotic warfare, yet experts warn it exposes critical gaps in defense against rising drone threats.

The US Army now has a new autonomous warfare command. It's called the Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). It marks a major push towards robotic warfare, but retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan believes the transformation also exposes serious shortcomings in America's preparedness against drone attacks. The US Army's newly announced FASCOM aims to accelerate autonomous warfare capabilities, bringing together technological development, experimentation, training and procurement. Iran War Exposes US Military's Drone Defence Failures Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse, I asked General Ryan whether FASCOM represented an acknowledgment of American military shortcomings during the Iran conflict, he said it was partly a response to the failure to counter Iranian Shahed drones. "They were caught short with drone defences," he said, adding that the threat was "entirely predictable." He was particularly critical of Western militaries for failing to absorb lessons from Ukraine. "I think this was a gross failure of humility in the U.S. as well as Western military organisations," he said. Also read: India’s naval priorities: Ex-Navy Chief calls for third aircraft carrier, more warships and submarines Gen. Ryan argued that military transformation must extend beyond acquiring autonomous weapons to changing battlefield tactics, training and institutional structures. What India and Australia Must Learn With China rapidly developing autonomous military capabilities, Gen. Ryan suggested India and Australia should closely examine America's new command structure. "I think countries like Australia and India will hopefully have liaison officers embedded in the U.S. Army," he said. He also recommended that both countries establish similar commands to accelerate drone warfare capabilities across their armed forces. Such structures, Ryan argued, could help military organisations adapt more rapidly to emerging technologies and battlefield requirements. Also read: Flying Wedge unveils FWD Supreme as India’s AI combat aircraft programme takes shape Tanks, Drones and the Future Battlefield Gen. Ryan also warned that traditional armoured warfare faces unprecedented challenges from persistent drone surveillance. Drawing on Ukraine's experience, he explained that forces may need prolonged suppression of enemy drones before deploying armoured vehicles, even in small numbers. Modern tanks and armoured vehicles, he noted, produce substantial physical, thermal and electromagnetic signatures, making concealment increasingly difficult. On counter-drone warfare, he rejected the idea of a single technological solution, advocating layered defences combining sensors, electronic warfare, interceptor drones and conventional weapons. His assessment carries particular importance for India as it expands indigenous drone development and evaluates how autonomous systems should be integrated into military formations.

US Army launches FASCOM for robotic warfare, yet experts warn it exposes critical gaps in defense against rising drone threats.

US Army's autonomous warfare overhaul: General Mick Ryan warns India and Australia to prepare

Somewhere off the coast, a fishing boat has no business being where it is. A patrol vessel must shadow it without starting a war. Elsewhere, a cyclone has torn through a coastal district and survivors need doctors before roads reopen. In a third place, a new radar must be tried at sea before the Navy trusts it on a frontline warship. Three unrelated problems, one answer: INS Samarthak, commissioned at the Karwar Naval Base on October 16, 2026.&nbsp;Most warships are specialists. Samarthak is the fleet's generalist, the first of two vessels in its class, built to take on the jobs that keep a navy functioning but rarely make headlines. Larsen &amp; Toubro constructed it under the Make in India initiative after the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹887 crore contract on March 25, 2022, for a pair of such ships. Its twin, INS Utkarsh, was launched on January 14, 2025, and is now going through technical checks and sea trials, the demanding examinations that confirm a ship behaves as designed before the Navy formally accepts it. Together they advance a long-term plan to build the fleet's support ships at home rather than abroad.&nbsp;Consider first the quiet work of testing. Every radar, sonar or missile must prove itself somewhere, and Samarthak is that somewhere. Radars find objects by bouncing radio waves off them; sonars do the same beneath the surface using sound. The Defence Research and Development Organisation and private firms can bring such systems aboard and watch how they perform in real waves and real weather, catching faults long before they reach a ship in combat.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hidden-secrets-of-submarines-that-most-people-never-know-1779894322628">WION Decodes | Hidden secrets of submarines that most people never know</a>&nbsp;Testing needs targets, and Samarthak provides those too. It launches, tows and recovers fast-moving targets on the surface and in the air, giving crews across the fleet live practice in gunnery, in beating back aircraft and in hunting submarines. The ship can also act as a mothership for unmanned craft, sending out, directing and retrieving robotic boats and aerial drones. The human cost of this is zero: machines go into hazardous waters while every sailor remains on board.&nbsp;Then there is the work of watching. Samarthak monitors sea traffic, patrols sensitive stretches of water and handles small security missions, such as intercepting suspicious boats or confronting pirates, that fall short of outright battle and are classified as Low Intensity Maritime Operations. It can tow heavy or crippled vessels, pull lost ships and equipment from the seabed, and clean up oil spills and other pollution. When disaster strikes a coastline, it turns to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, carrying rescue and relief operations ashore, and it can even be reconfigured as a small hospital ship with limited medical facilities.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sky-fortress-india-4th-russian-s-400-squadron-lands-ai-powered-defence-goes-live-1780670809429">Sky Fortress India: 4th Russian S-400 squadron lands, AI-powered defence goes live</a>&nbsp;None of this would be possible if the ship could not defend itself, and its defences are built in layers. A single combat system binds Indian-made sensors, weapons and electronics into one coordinated whole. Against surface threats it fires a 76 mm main gun, the OTO Melara, supported by fast-firing 30 mm cannons called CRN-91. A Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun lets operators aim and shoot from safety inside the hull, its barrel staying level while the deck heaves beneath it. Against submarines it launches guided torpedoes, the Indian-made Varunastra and Shyena, and fires RBU-6000 rockets that explode in the water above a lurking enemy.&nbsp;The electronic layer guards against threats no eye can see. SANKET Mk III, an Electronic Support Measures system, listens for radar and other signals from nearby vessels, the way a watchman recognises an unfamiliar engine in the dark. Should a radar-guided missile approach, the Kavach system fires chaff rockets that fill the sky with reflective fragments, creating false targets so the missile loses the real one. A stern deck hosts the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, another Indian design. A Dynamic Positioning System uses engines and thrusters to pin the ship to one exact spot despite wind, waves and current, vital when a task cannot tolerate drift.&nbsp;The numbers describe a sturdy, long-legged vessel. Samarthak displaces 3,750 tonnes, the weight of water it pushes aside while floating. It measures 107 metres long and 18.6 metres wide, reaches 15 knots, about 28 kilometres an hour, and ranges 4,500 nautical miles, roughly 8,334 kilometres, on one fuelling. It houses 116 crew, eight of them officers.Its crest shows an Indian elephant rising from the waves, a symbol of strength, intelligence and nimble movement. Its motto, "विजयार्थम एकनिष्ठता," means "Victory is Our Sole Aim." For a ship whose victories will mostly be quiet ones, that is a promise worth keeping.

While most warships specialise, Samarthak is the fleet's generalist—the first in its class built for vital, unheralded naval support roles.

Somewhere off the coast, a fishing boat has no business being where it is. A patrol vessel must shadow it without starting a war. Elsewhere, a cyclone has torn through a coastal district and survivors need doctors before roads reopen. In a third place, a new radar must be tried at sea before the Navy trusts it on a frontline warship. Three unrelated problems, one answer: INS Samarthak, commissioned at the Karwar Naval Base on October 16, 2026. Most warships are specialists. Samarthak is the fleet's generalist, the first of two vessels in its class, built to take on the jobs that keep a navy functioning but rarely make headlines. Larsen & Toubro constructed it under the Make in India initiative after the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹887 crore contract on March 25, 2022, for a pair of such ships. Its twin, INS Utkarsh, was launched on January 14, 2025, and is now going through technical checks and sea trials, the demanding examinations that confirm a ship behaves as designed before the Navy formally accepts it. Together they advance a long-term plan to build the fleet's support ships at home rather than abroad. Consider first the quiet work of testing. Every radar, sonar or missile must prove itself somewhere, and Samarthak is that somewhere. Radars find objects by bouncing radio waves off them; sonars do the same beneath the surface using sound. The Defence Research and Development Organisation and private firms can bring such systems aboard and watch how they perform in real waves and real weather, catching faults long before they reach a ship in combat. Also read: WION Decodes | Hidden secrets of submarines that most people never know Testing needs targets, and Samarthak provides those too. It launches, tows and recovers fast-moving targets on the surface and in the air, giving crews across the fleet live practice in gunnery, in beating back aircraft and in hunting submarines. The ship can also act as a mothership for unmanned craft, sending out, directing and retrieving robotic boats and aerial drones. The human cost of this is zero: machines go into hazardous waters while every sailor remains on board. Then there is the work of watching. Samarthak monitors sea traffic, patrols sensitive stretches of water and handles small security missions, such as intercepting suspicious boats or confronting pirates, that fall short of outright battle and are classified as Low Intensity Maritime Operations. It can tow heavy or crippled vessels, pull lost ships and equipment from the seabed, and clean up oil spills and other pollution. When disaster strikes a coastline, it turns to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, carrying rescue and relief operations ashore, and it can even be reconfigured as a small hospital ship with limited medical facilities. Also read: Sky Fortress India: 4th Russian S-400 squadron lands, AI-powered defence goes live None of this would be possible if the ship could not defend itself, and its defences are built in layers. A single combat system binds Indian-made sensors, weapons and electronics into one coordinated whole. Against surface threats it fires a 76 mm main gun, the OTO Melara, supported by fast-firing 30 mm cannons called CRN-91. A Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun lets operators aim and shoot from safety inside the hull, its barrel staying level while the deck heaves beneath it. Against submarines it launches guided torpedoes, the Indian-made Varunastra and Shyena, and fires RBU-6000 rockets that explode in the water above a lurking enemy. The electronic layer guards against threats no eye can see. SANKET Mk III, an Electronic Support Measures system, listens for radar and other signals from nearby vessels, the way a watchman recognises an unfamiliar engine in the dark. Should a radar-guided missile approach, the Kavach system fires chaff rockets that fill the sky with reflective fragments, creating false targets so the missile loses the real one. A stern deck hosts the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, another Indian design. A Dynamic Positioning System uses engines and thrusters to pin the ship to one exact spot despite wind, waves and current, vital when a task cannot tolerate drift. The numbers describe a sturdy, long-legged vessel. Samarthak displaces 3,750 tonnes, the weight of water it pushes aside while floating. It measures 107 metres long and 18.6 metres wide, reaches 15 knots, about 28 kilometres an hour, and ranges 4,500 nautical miles, roughly 8,334 kilometres, on one fuelling. It houses 116 crew, eight of them officers. Its crest shows an Indian elephant rising from the waves, a symbol of strength, intelligence and nimble movement. Its motto, "विजयार्थम एकनिष्ठता," means "Victory is Our Sole Aim." For a ship whose victories will mostly be quiet ones, that is a promise worth keeping.

While most warships specialise, Samarthak is the fleet's generalist—the first in its class built for vital, unheralded naval support roles.

An elephant rises at Sea: Meet INS Samarthak

India could achieve complete self-reliance in military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) within the next 10 to 15 years, provided the current pace of reforms continues, according to Bharat Malkani, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Aerospace Group.Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse on its Pathfinder segment, Malkani highlighted the growing importance of building an indigenous aviation maintenance ecosystem alongside India's expanding military aircraft manufacturing capabilities.“At the rate of change, assuming the rate of change continues as it is today under the government, we anticipate it will take 10 to 15 years to be able to achieve 100% self-reliance,” Malkani said.He cautioned that any slowdown in reforms would directly affect this timeline.<h2>Private Industry Investment Critical</h2>India already manufactures military aircraft and helicopters, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). However, developing domestic capabilities to repair engines, manufacture critical components and upgrade aircraft systems remains essential for sustaining operational readiness.Malkani argued that the country possesses the technical expertise to support these platforms but requires greater investment.“Do we have the capability today for sustainment? Yes. Can we do it? No,” he said, highlighting the gap between technical potential and available resources.He stressed that government investment has historically been concentrated in public-sector companies and called for greater participation from qualified private-sector aerospace firms.“Investment from government must now start to flow to the qualifying Indian private sector companies,” he said.<h2>India as a Global Aerospace Hub</h2>Beyond domestic military requirements, Malkani believes India can emerge as an international centre for aviation maintenance and manufacturing.“Not just MRO, I think India has the ability to become a manufacturing hub,” he said.Pointing to the global achievements of Indian engineers, he argued that India's technical talent could support the development of advanced aircraft for international markets.“I believe we can be a manufacturing capability hub for not just India but India's friends,” Malkani added.His assessment places aviation sustainment at the centre of India's defence self-reliance ambitions, where the ability to independently maintain and return aircraft to service could prove as strategically important as manufacturing them.

Max Aerospace CMD Bharat Malkani tells WION that India could achieve complete military aviation MRO self-reliance in 10-15 years if reforms continue.

India could achieve complete self-reliance in military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) within the next 10 to 15 years, provided the current pace of reforms continues, according to Bharat Malkani, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Aerospace Group. Speaking exclusively on WION's Defence Pulse on its Pathfinder segment, Malkani highlighted the growing importance of building an indigenous aviation maintenance ecosystem alongside India's expanding military aircraft manufacturing capabilities. “At the rate of change, assuming the rate of change continues as it is today under the government, we anticipate it will take 10 to 15 years to be able to achieve 100% self-reliance,” Malkani said. He cautioned that any slowdown in reforms would directly affect this timeline. Private Industry Investment Critical India already manufactures military aircraft and helicopters, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). However, developing domestic capabilities to repair engines, manufacture critical components and upgrade aircraft systems remains essential for sustaining operational readiness. Malkani argued that the country possesses the technical expertise to support these platforms but requires greater investment. “Do we have the capability today for sustainment? Yes. Can we do it? No,” he said, highlighting the gap between technical potential and available resources. He stressed that government investment has historically been concentrated in public-sector companies and called for greater participation from qualified private-sector aerospace firms. “Investment from government must now start to flow to the qualifying Indian private sector companies,” he said. India as a Global Aerospace Hub Beyond domestic military requirements, Malkani believes India can emerge as an international centre for aviation maintenance and manufacturing. “Not just MRO, I think India has the ability to become a manufacturing hub,” he said. Pointing to the global achievements of Indian engineers, he argued that India's technical talent could support the development of advanced aircraft for international markets. “I believe we can be a manufacturing capability hub for not just India but India's friends,” Malkani added. His assessment places aviation sustainment at the centre of India's defence self-reliance ambitions, where the ability to independently maintain and return aircraft to service could prove as strategically important as manufacturing them.

Max Aerospace CMD Bharat Malkani tells WION that India could achieve complete military aviation MRO self-reliance in 10-15 years if reforms continue.

'Indian Engineers Among the Finest in the World': Max Aerospace Chief on India's Aviation Ambitions | Defence Pulse

Defence Partnership Days 2026 to bring military leadership and industry together for procurement, indigenous innovation and strategic collaboration on 26–27 November in New Delhi. WION Defence Pulse has partnered with the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) and Indian Military Review (IMR) for Defence Partnership Days 2026, bringing India's military leadership and defence industry together to strengthen domestic capabilities and advance the country’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.&nbsp;Scheduled for 26–27 November 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the two-day event will provide a platform for direct engagement between defence users, procurement authorities, manufacturers and technology developers. The initiative aims to translate operational requirements into industry-led solutions while creating opportunities for business partnerships, indigenous innovation and import substitution.&nbsp;The partnership marks the first time WION Defence Pulse has joined CAPSS and IMR to organise the initiative, reinforcing the focus on closer collaboration between the Armed Forces and India’s defence industrial ecosystem.&nbsp;Centred on the theme "Meet. Partner. Innovate. Grow.", Defence Partnership Days 2026 will operate as a business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) platform. It will connect defence establishments and procurement officials with companies capable of developing and supplying technologies, equipment and solutions to meet the country’s evolving operational requirements.&nbsp;Participants will include representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Indian Coast Guard, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other defence research institutions. The industry side will bring together defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, defence technology start-ups, engineering and manufacturing companies, investors, academia and defence experts.&nbsp;The programme will feature pre-scheduled B2G and B2B meetings, seminars and an exhibition, enabling companies to engage directly with defence officials, understand procurement priorities, identify potential projects and explore partnerships across the supply chain.&nbsp;<h3>Bringing defence and industry together</h3>&nbsp;The emphasis on industry-military collaboration comes amid India's broader push to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and strengthen its domestic manufacturing and technology base. By facilitating direct exchanges between military users and industry, the platform aims to help companies better understand operational needs and develop solutions aligned with the requirements of the Armed Forces. It will also provide opportunities for smaller manufacturers and technology start-ups to engage with larger industry players and explore their role in the defence supply chain.&nbsp;Launched in 2024 at the instance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Partnership Days was conceived as a specialised interface between the Armed Forces and the domestic defence industry.&nbsp;The inaugural edition featured 14 scheduled rounds of B2G and B2B meetings. The 2025 edition, organised by IMR in collaboration with CAPSS, facilitated approximately 1,400 B2G and B2B meetings and featured 60 exhibition stands. It also introduced an online meeting scheduler to structure interactions between industry representatives and defence officials.&nbsp;The 2026 edition builds on these efforts, with WION Defence Pulse joining CAPSS and IMR to expand engagement and strengthen connections between military stakeholders, established manufacturers and emerging defence technology companies.&nbsp;As India seeks to deepen its domestic defence capabilities, platforms that bring end-users and manufacturers into closer contact can help identify capability gaps, encourage technology development and create opportunities for indigenous suppliers. Defence Partnership Days 2026 will seek to facilitate these exchanges through structured meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions and industry participation.&nbsp;<h3>About IMR Media Pvt Ltd</h3>&nbsp;Founded in 2011, IMR Media is a defence-focused media and enterprise business solutions provider. It publishes Indian Military Review magazine and the Indian Defence Yearbook. Over 14 years, the company has conceptualised and executed 96 specialised defence and aerospace events. Defence Partnership Days is its flagship B2G and B2B platform.&nbsp;<h3>About CAPSS</h3>&nbsp;Established in 2001, the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies is an autonomous defence research and analysis think tank based in New Delhi. It serves as an intellectual bridge between the Armed Forces, academia and the defence industry. CAPSS publishes three peer-reviewed journals: Air Power Journal, Defence &amp; Diplomacy, and Blue Yonder.&nbsp;<h3>Event details</h3> &nbsp;<ul><li>Defence Partnership Days 2026</li><li>Dates: 26–27 November 2026</li><li>Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi</li></ul>Registration and event information: <a href="https://www.defencepartners.in">https://www.defencepartners.in</a>&nbsp;Defence industry participants can register to explore opportunities to engage with defence leaders, showcase their capabilities and build partnerships across India's defence ecosystem. &nbsp;

WION Defence Pulse partners with CAPSS and IMR for Defence Partnership Days 2026 to unite military leaders and boost India’s self-reliance.

Defence Partnership Days 2026 to bring military leadership and industry together for procurement, indigenous innovation and strategic collaboration on 26–27 November in New Delhi. WION Defence Pulse has partnered with the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) and Indian Military Review (IMR) for Defence Partnership Days 2026, bringing India's military leadership and defence industry together to strengthen domestic capabilities and advance the country’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Scheduled for 26–27 November 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the two-day event will provide a platform for direct engagement between defence users, procurement authorities, manufacturers and technology developers. The initiative aims to translate operational requirements into industry-led solutions while creating opportunities for business partnerships, indigenous innovation and import substitution. The partnership marks the first time WION Defence Pulse has joined CAPSS and IMR to organise the initiative, reinforcing the focus on closer collaboration between the Armed Forces and India’s defence industrial ecosystem. Centred on the theme "Meet. Partner. Innovate. Grow.", Defence Partnership Days 2026 will operate as a business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) platform. It will connect defence establishments and procurement officials with companies capable of developing and supplying technologies, equipment and solutions to meet the country’s evolving operational requirements. Participants will include representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Indian Coast Guard, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other defence research institutions. The industry side will bring together defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, defence technology start-ups, engineering and manufacturing companies, investors, academia and defence experts. The programme will feature pre-scheduled B2G and B2B meetings, seminars and an exhibition, enabling companies to engage directly with defence officials, understand procurement priorities, identify potential projects and explore partnerships across the supply chain. Bringing defence and industry together The emphasis on industry-military collaboration comes amid India's broader push to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and strengthen its domestic manufacturing and technology base. By facilitating direct exchanges between military users and industry, the platform aims to help companies better understand operational needs and develop solutions aligned with the requirements of the Armed Forces. It will also provide opportunities for smaller manufacturers and technology start-ups to engage with larger industry players and explore their role in the defence supply chain. Launched in 2024 at the instance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Partnership Days was conceived as a specialised interface between the Armed Forces and the domestic defence industry. The inaugural edition featured 14 scheduled rounds of B2G and B2B meetings. The 2025 edition, organised by IMR in collaboration with CAPSS, facilitated approximately 1,400 B2G and B2B meetings and featured 60 exhibition stands. It also introduced an online meeting scheduler to structure interactions between industry representatives and defence officials. The 2026 edition builds on these efforts, with WION Defence Pulse joining CAPSS and IMR to expand engagement and strengthen connections between military stakeholders, established manufacturers and emerging defence technology companies. As India seeks to deepen its domestic defence capabilities, platforms that bring end-users and manufacturers into closer contact can help identify capability gaps, encourage technology development and create opportunities for indigenous suppliers. Defence Partnership Days 2026 will seek to facilitate these exchanges through structured meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions and industry participation. About IMR Media Pvt Ltd Founded in 2011, IMR Media is a defence-focused media and enterprise business solutions provider. It publishes Indian Military Review magazine and the Indian Defence Yearbook. Over 14 years, the company has conceptualised and executed 96 specialised defence and aerospace events. Defence Partnership Days is its flagship B2G and B2B platform. About CAPSS Established in 2001, the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies is an autonomous defence research and analysis think tank based in New Delhi. It serves as an intellectual bridge between the Armed Forces, academia and the defence industry. CAPSS publishes three peer-reviewed journals: Air Power Journal, Defence & Diplomacy, and Blue Yonder. Event details Defence Partnership Days 2026 Dates: 26–27 November 2026 Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi Registration and event information: https://www.defencepartners.in Defence industry participants can register to explore opportunities to engage with defence leaders, showcase their capabilities and build partnerships across India's defence ecosystem.

WION Defence Pulse partners with CAPSS and IMR for Defence Partnership Days 2026 to unite military leaders and boost India’s self-reliance.

WION Defence Pulse joins CAPSS, IMR to boost India's push for self-reliance in defence

Long-range attack drones are transforming modern warfare, but their effectiveness increasingly depends on what happens after satellite navigation and communications are disrupted.&nbsp; Speaking to me on Defence Pulse, Major General RC Padhi, Senior Vice President at IG Defence, said navigation resilience will be critical as electronic warfare becomes a routine feature of the battlefield.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/indian-navy-could-operate-indigenous-underwater-drones-within-a-year-says-ankur-shah-1791196745954">Indian Navy could operate indigenous underwater drones within a year: Ankur Shah</a><h2>Fighting when GPS disappears</h2>Gen. Padhi explained that adversaries can attempt to jam or degrade satellite navigation signals, forcing unmanned systems to rely on alternative technologies. He pointed to CRPA antennas, which are designed to resist satellite-navigation jamming, and inertial measurement units or IMUs. An IMU uses onboard sensors, including gyroscopes, to track a platform's movement and help it continue navigating even when external signals are unavailable.

More sophisticated systems can also employ seekers, although Gen. Padhi said these can substantially increase the cost of the system. The larger objective is to prevent a long-range attack drone from becoming ineffective simply because its communications or satellite-navigation link has been disrupted.<h2>India’s sensor challenge</h2>For India, Gen. Padhi believes the bigger challenge lies beyond building the drone airframe. “A drone is a platform and it is a system,” he said, pointing to sensors, warheads and electronics as critical components. Among these, he identified indigenous sensors as a particularly important capability requiring greater investment. He also highlighted engines, robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies as areas where domestic capabilities will increasingly matter as unmanned platforms become more autonomous.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/keeping-india-s-air-power-flying-bharat-malkani-on-building-a-stronger-mro-ecosystem-1790950481277">Keeping India’s air power flying: Bharat Malkani on building MRO ecosystem</a> He additionally highlighted India's indigenous satellite-navigation capability, NavIC, arguing that making the regional navigation system more effective and operationally dependable could reduce reliance on foreign satellite-navigation networks. My discussion with Gen. Padhi highlights a fundamental shift in drone warfare. Range and payload remain important, but survivability in an electronically contested battlespace is becoming equally significant and decisive.

GPS can be jammed, communications can be disrupted and long-range drones can suddenly lose their edge. Maj Gen RC Padhi explains why India needs to focus on indigenous sensors, navigation resilience and AI to prepare for the next generation of drone warfare.

Long-range attack drones are transforming modern warfare, but their effectiveness increasingly depends on what happens after satellite navigation and communications are disrupted. Speaking to me on Defence Pulse, Major General RC Padhi, Senior Vice President at IG Defence, said navigation resilience will be critical as electronic warfare becomes a routine feature of the battlefield. Also read | Indian Navy could operate indigenous underwater drones within a year: Ankur Shah Fighting when GPS disappears Gen. Padhi explained that adversaries can attempt to jam or degrade satellite navigation signals, forcing unmanned systems to rely on alternative technologies. He pointed to CRPA antennas, which are designed to resist satellite-navigation jamming, and inertial measurement units or IMUs. An IMU uses onboard sensors, including gyroscopes, to track a platform's movement and help it continue navigating even when external signals are unavailable.

GPS can be jammed, communications can be disrupted and long-range drones can suddenly lose their edge. Maj Gen RC Padhi explains why India needs to focus on indigenous sensors, navigation resilience and AI to prepare for the next generation of drone warfare.

'India must invest in sensors': Maj Gen RC Padhi on building combat drones for GPS-denied war

India’s combat drone ecosystem is moving from tactical battlefield systems towards weapons capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometres away. The transition has gathered momentum after Operation Sindoor, where indigenous drones were deployed in contested battlefield conditions. Now, Indian developers are working on longer-range one-way attack platforms designed to extend the reach of unmanned warfare. One such platform is KAL, a long-range attack drone developed by IG Defence and recently tested at the Pokhran field firing range. The company says the platform is designed for a range of up to 1,000 kilometres, an endurance of around eight hours and a warhead of approximately 50 kilograms. For Major General R C Padhi, Senior Vice President at IG Defence, the transition builds on lessons learnt during Op Sindoor. "Our drones were engaged in the battlefield and we got all those drones battle tested," Padhi told WION’s Defence Pulse. He said the company deployed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) platforms, FPV kamikaze drones, surveillance systems and logistics drones during the operation.

The crucial difference, Padhi said, was exposure to an actual contested environment rather than controlled trials. "When you are testing your drones in the range, there is no enemy presence," he said. "But in a battlefield, it is a contested environment. The enemy is also trying to dominate over you." Padhi claimed the drones were used against gun positions, command and communication centres, ammunition dumps and bunkers during Op Sindoor. Attention is now shifting towards longer-range systems. Describing KAL as a strategic rather than tactical drone, Padhi said its greater range and warhead could allow it to engage targets much deeper inside adversary territory. The recent Pokhran trial also tested its ability to launch from a vehicle-mounted mobile platform. According to General Padhi, the significance lies in extending indigenous unmanned strike capability beyond the immediate battlefield. "Most of the strategic assets of the adversaries are much behind our border areas," he said.&nbsp; For India, the evolution represents a significant shift. The indigenous drone story is moving from surveillance and tactical FPV strikes towards autonomous systems designed for long-range strategic missions.

Major General R C Padhi claimed the drones were used against gun positions, command and communication centres, ammunition dumps and bunkers during Op Sindoor.

India’s combat drone ecosystem is moving from tactical battlefield systems towards weapons capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometres away. The transition has gathered momentum after Operation Sindoor, where indigenous drones were deployed in contested battlefield conditions. Now, Indian developers are working on longer-range one-way attack platforms designed to extend the reach of unmanned warfare. One such platform is KAL, a long-range attack drone developed by IG Defence and recently tested at the Pokhran field firing range. The company says the platform is designed for a range of up to 1,000 kilometres, an endurance of around eight hours and a warhead of approximately 50 kilograms. For Major General R C Padhi, Senior Vice President at IG Defence, the transition builds on lessons learnt during Op Sindoor. "Our drones were engaged in the battlefield and we got all those drones battle tested," Padhi told WION’s Defence Pulse. He said the company deployed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) platforms, FPV kamikaze drones, surveillance systems and logistics drones during the operation.

Major General R C Padhi claimed the drones were used against gun positions, command and communication centres, ammunition dumps and bunkers during Op Sindoor.

From FPV strikes to 1,000 km missions, India’s drone revolution goes long range

Drones scan the skies. Thermal imagers search through darkness. Satellites photograph vast areas. Cameras monitor borders and critical installations. Radars and other sensors add still more streams of information. Modern battlefields are generating more information than soldiers and commanders can realistically watch. The problem is no longer simply collecting battlefield data. It is understanding it quickly enough.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/nobody-understands-high-altitude-warfare-better-than-indian-army-says-maj-gen-yash-mor-1789987439995">Nobody understands high-altitude warfare better than Indian Army: Maj Gen Yash</a> A commander could potentially receive feeds from dozens or even hundreds of drones and sensors. Human operators may be able to monitor a handful of them, but as the number increases, the actual information required can disappear inside an overwhelming volume of imagery. This is where artificial intelligence and computer vision are beginning to change surveillance. Instead of requiring a person to continuously watch every feed, AI can analyse imagery, detect objects, identify movement and flag unusual activity. The objective is to transform raw surveillance into usable battlefield intelligence.

But military imagery presents challenges far beyond conventional CCTV. Camouflage can conceal equipment. Smoke and cloud cover can obscure targets. Weather can degrade imagery. An adversary can also deliberately attempt to deceive sensors and algorithms. Atul Rai, CEO and co-founder of Staqu Technologies, believes the real value of AI lies in helping decision-makers navigate this flood of information. "AI is bringing the information to the decision maker," Rai said during a conversation on WION's Defence Pulse.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/imagine-50-ai-fighters-cornering-one-manned-jet-india-s-mobbing-doctrine-eyes-a-new-era-of-air-warm-1789620684117">‘Mobbing doctrine’: How AI drone swarms could challenge fighter jets</a> But he also warned that the quality of the decision ultimately depends on the quality of information being processed. "If I consume wrong information, I'll make a wrong decision," he said, stressing that humans must remain closely involved in interpreting AI-generated intelligence. The complexity increases when militaries combine information from different sensors. A normal CCTV camera largely works with conventional RGB imagery. Battlefield systems may simultaneously receive thermal imagery, satellite pictures and Synthetic Aperture Radar data. The same tank or vehicle can appear dramatically different across each sensor. According to Rai, this makes data fusion one of the major challenges confronting military AI. It would be a fair assessment that the next surveillance revolution will increasingly depend on whether AI can turn thousands of battlefield eyes into one coherent picture that a commander can trust and act upon. &nbsp;

Instead of requiring a person to continuously watch every feed, AI can analyse imagery, detect objects, identify movement and flag unusual activity. The objective is to transform raw surveillance into usable battlefield intelligence.


Drones scan the skies. Thermal imagers search through darkness. Satellites photograph vast areas. Cameras monitor borders and critical installations. Radars and other sensors add still more streams of information. Modern battlefields are generating more information than soldiers and commanders can realistically watch. The problem is no longer simply collecting battlefield data. It is understanding it quickly enough. Also read | Nobody understands high-altitude warfare better than Indian Army: Maj Gen Yash A commander could potentially receive feeds from dozens or even hundreds of drones and sensors. Human operators may be able to monitor a handful of them, but as the number increases, the actual information required can disappear inside an overwhelming volume of imagery. This is where artificial intelligence and computer vision are beginning to change surveillance. Instead of requiring a person to continuously watch every feed, AI can analyse imagery, detect objects, identify movement and flag unusual activity. The objective is to transform raw surveillance into usable battlefield intelligence.

Instead of requiring a person to continuously watch every feed, AI can analyse imagery, detect objects, identify movement and flag unusual activity. The objective is to transform raw surveillance into usable battlefield intelligence.

From sensors to soldiers, how AI is transforming battlefield intelligence

India's defence indigenisation drive is increasingly moving beyond building weapons at home to owning the critical technologies inside them, a more difficult challenge. Modern fighters, missiles, drones and warships depend on an intricate ecosystem of semiconductors, sensors, advanced materials, communications, electronic warfare systems and software.&nbsp;Dependence on imported components in these areas can expose defence programmes to supply disruptions and technology-denial regimes during a crisis. Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, Omprakash Subbarao, CEO of the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science, argued that India now needs to take indigenisation deeper into the component and subsystem level. Subbarao drew lessons from India's digital transformation, including Aadhaar, where large public infrastructure helped create an ecosystem for private innovation. “The lesson to learn from that is how we can use public rails to fuel private innovation.”&nbsp;He said a similar model could be extended to strategically important sectors including food, energy and defence. On military technology, Subbarao identified five areas requiring particular attention:<ul><li>satellite-guided hypersonic weapons,</li><li>advanced fighter-engine development,</li><li>high-speed communication systems,</li><li>radar and electronic warfare technologies</li><li>electro-optical systems including indigenous seekers.</li></ul>India, he said, has already developed significant capability in assembling increasingly complex systems. The next step is developing the underlying components and critical subsystems domestically. Asked to narrow the priority list further, Subbarao identified three capabilities he believes could have a major impact over the coming decade.&nbsp;First was a fully indigenous fighter aircraft. “It should be an indigenous fighter aircraft incorporating domestically developed engines, materials and critical subsystems.”His second priority was hypersonic missiles equipped with advanced precision-navigation technologies, potentially incorporating scramjet propulsion.&nbsp;The third was satellite-enabled surveillance, navigation and countermeasure systems, reflecting the increasing importance of space-based capabilities to military operations.For India's next phase of defence self-reliance, indigenous platforms are one part of the equation. Owning the engines, materials, sensors, seekers, electronics and critical subsystems that make those platforms work represents the deeper technological test.&nbsp;WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIMTW57pXGQ"></oembed></figure>

Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, IISc FSID CEO Omprakash Subbarao emphasised deepening defence indigenisation at the component level, highlighting how public digital infrastructure drives private innovation.

India's defence indigenisation drive is increasingly moving beyond building weapons at home to owning the critical technologies inside them, a more difficult challenge. Modern fighters, missiles, drones and warships depend on an intricate ecosystem of semiconductors, sensors, advanced materials, communications, electronic warfare systems and software. Dependence on imported components in these areas can expose defence programmes to supply disruptions and technology-denial regimes during a crisis. Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, Omprakash Subbarao, CEO of the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science, argued that India now needs to take indigenisation deeper into the component and subsystem level. Subbarao drew lessons from India's digital transformation, including Aadhaar, where large public infrastructure helped create an ecosystem for private innovation. “The lesson to learn from that is how we can use public rails to fuel private innovation.” He said a similar model could be extended to strategically important sectors including food, energy and defence. On military technology, Subbarao identified five areas requiring particular attention: satellite-guided hypersonic weapons, advanced fighter-engine development, high-speed communication systems, radar and electronic warfare technologies electro-optical systems including indigenous seekers. India, he said, has already developed significant capability in assembling increasingly complex systems. The next step is developing the underlying components and critical subsystems domestically. Asked to narrow the priority list further, Subbarao identified three capabilities he believes could have a major impact over the coming decade. First was a fully indigenous fighter aircraft. “It should be an indigenous fighter aircraft incorporating domestically developed engines, materials and critical subsystems.” His second priority was hypersonic missiles equipped with advanced precision-navigation technologies, potentially incorporating scramjet propulsion. The third was satellite-enabled surveillance, navigation and countermeasure systems, reflecting the increasing importance of space-based capabilities to military operations. For India's next phase of defence self-reliance, indigenous platforms are one part of the equation. Owning the engines, materials, sensors, seekers, electronics and critical subsystems that make those platforms work represents the deeper technological test. WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Speaking on WION's Defence Pulse, IISc FSID CEO Omprakash Subbarao emphasised deepening defence indigenisation at the component level, highlighting how public digital infrastructure drives private innovation.

Technologies India cannot afford to import: IISc expert lists defence priorities

For decades, battlefield firepower depended largely on weapons that followed a predetermined path once fired. Mortar rounds travelled along ballistic trajectories, artillery shells followed their calculated arcs and unguided bombs depended heavily on the conditions at the moment of release.Modern warfare is changing that equation. Guidance systems, sensors and increasingly sophisticated onboard electronics are allowing munitions to correct their flight after launch and strike targets with far greater precision.&nbsp;India is also working on technologies aimed at bringing precision to existing classes of weapons, including mortar and artillery ammunition. The broader objective is significant: instead of relying only on expensive missiles or entirely new weapon systems, intelligence can increasingly be incorporated into the munition itself.&nbsp;Speaking to WION, Abhishek Jain, Chief Business Officer of Zeus Numerix, said the distinction between conventional and smart ammunition can be surprisingly simple. “Smart basically means, can the munition decide for itself what to do in flight?”&nbsp;Jain explained that this intelligence exists at different levels. A relatively simple system might correct only its range. More sophisticated weapons can correct both range and direction, while additional sensors can enable still greater precision.&nbsp;<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0AyyqPv38E&amp;list=PLKwyKu6LhauQ&amp;index=6"></oembed></figure>&nbsp;But how much intelligence should actually be packed into a projectile? Jain says the answer depends on the mission. “Can we do more? Yes. Should we do more? Depends on the CONOPS, whether we require it or not.”&nbsp;He said Zeus is working with navigation-based guidance in which a munition can detect that it is deviating from its intended trajectory and autonomously correct its course without further input from the operator. He also referred to multi-constellation satellite navigation, including Indian navigation capabilities, and systems combining satellite navigation with terminal laser guidance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet greater sophistication comes at a price. “The moment you include more sensors, it becomes more and more expensive, so we have to be careful about that.”&nbsp;That trade-off could become increasingly important on battlefields where militaries need both mass and precision. The future may therefore not simply belong to the smartest weapon available, but to one carrying exactly as much intelligence as the mission requires. &nbsp;

India is developing technologies to make conventional munitions smarter by adding guidance, sensors and onboard electronics. Zeus Numerix says systems can autonomously correct range and direction using satellite navigation and laser guidance, but greater precision also brings higher costs.

For decades, battlefield firepower depended largely on weapons that followed a predetermined path once fired. Mortar rounds travelled along ballistic trajectories, artillery shells followed their calculated arcs and unguided bombs depended heavily on the conditions at the moment of release. Modern warfare is changing that equation. Guidance systems, sensors and increasingly sophisticated onboard electronics are allowing munitions to correct their flight after launch and strike targets with far greater precision. India is also working on technologies aimed at bringing precision to existing classes of weapons, including mortar and artillery ammunition. The broader objective is significant: instead of relying only on expensive missiles or entirely new weapon systems, intelligence can increasingly be incorporated into the munition itself. Speaking to WION, Abhishek Jain, Chief Business Officer of Zeus Numerix, said the distinction between conventional and smart ammunition can be surprisingly simple. “Smart basically means, can the munition decide for itself what to do in flight?” Jain explained that this intelligence exists at different levels. A relatively simple system might correct only its range. More sophisticated weapons can correct both range and direction, while additional sensors can enable still greater precision. But how much intelligence should actually be packed into a projectile? Jain says the answer depends on the mission. “Can we do more? Yes. Should we do more? Depends on the CONOPS, whether we require it or not.” He said Zeus is working with navigation-based guidance in which a munition can detect that it is deviating from its intended trajectory and autonomously correct its course without further input from the operator. He also referred to multi-constellation satellite navigation, including Indian navigation capabilities, and systems combining satellite navigation with terminal laser guidance. Yet greater sophistication comes at a price. “The moment you include more sensors, it becomes more and more expensive, so we have to be careful about that.” That trade-off could become increasingly important on battlefields where militaries need both mass and precision. The future may therefore not simply belong to the smartest weapon available, but to one carrying exactly as much intelligence as the mission requires.

India is developing technologies to make conventional munitions smarter by adding guidance, sensors and onboard electronics. Zeus Numerix says systems can autonomously correct range and direction using satellite navigation and laser guidance, but greater precision also brings higher costs.

When munitions start thinking: How India is turning conventional weapons ‘smart’

The United States has publicly disclosed the militarisation of space for the first time. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has acknowledged that America now possesses “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending US forces against hostile action. Washington, however, has not disclosed what those weapons are, whether they are kinetic or non-kinetic, or precisely how they would operate. For decades, satellites have been the invisible infrastructure behind modern warfare, providing communications, navigation, missile warning, surveillance, and targeting. Now, the battle may no longer simply be from space. It could be fought in space. Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, Lt Gen P.J.S. Pannu (Retd.), GLOBAL SPACE FUTURES ADVISORY COUNCIL and former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the American announcement should not necessarily be interpreted as the sudden arrival of a new capability. Pannu described a future orbital battlefield extending far beyond the popular image of missiles or lasers. He explains that co-orbital satellites could manoeuvre alongside another spacecraft. Robotic arms could potentially interfere with satellites. Directed-energy weapons and high-power microwaves could disrupt systems, while kinetic vehicles could physically destroy targets. Cyber attacks, spoofing, and jamming could target the communications and command links connecting satellites to Earth. He also pointed to a particularly unconventional form of orbital warfare: forcing an adversary’s satellite to manoeuvre repeatedly until it exhausts its limited fuel. Gen. Pannu summed up the emerging American posture in stark terms: “They are ready to fight in the orbit to protect their celestial lines of communication.”

But destroying a satellite can generate debris capable of threatening military, commercial, and even civilian spacecraft. China demonstrated a direct-ascent anti-satellite weapon in 2007, while Russia has also demonstrated counter-space capabilities. Pannu argues that space has consequently become a “contested and highly volatile domain.” The legal framework is also incomplete for this new reality. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty explicitly prohibits nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but does not impose an equivalent blanket prohibition on conventional orbital weapons. For Gen. Pannu, the implication of Washington's disclosure is clear: space control may increasingly require the ability not merely to observe an adversary, but to “disrupt, degrade, even destroy” its capabilities. &nbsp;

Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, Lt Gen P.J.S. Pannu (Retd.), GLOBAL SPACE FUTURES ADVISORY COUNCIL and former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the American announcement should not necessarily be interpreted as the sudden arrival of a new capability.

The United States has publicly disclosed the militarisation of space for the first time. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has acknowledged that America now possesses “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending US forces against hostile action. Washington, however, has not disclosed what those weapons are, whether they are kinetic or non-kinetic, or precisely how they would operate. For decades, satellites have been the invisible infrastructure behind modern warfare, providing communications, navigation, missile warning, surveillance, and targeting. Now, the battle may no longer simply be from space. It could be fought in space. Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, Lt Gen P.J.S. Pannu (Retd.), GLOBAL SPACE FUTURES ADVISORY COUNCIL and former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the American announcement should not necessarily be interpreted as the sudden arrival of a new capability. Pannu described a future orbital battlefield extending far beyond the popular image of missiles or lasers. He explains that co-orbital satellites could manoeuvre alongside another spacecraft. Robotic arms could potentially interfere with satellites. Directed-energy weapons and high-power microwaves could disrupt systems, while kinetic vehicles could physically destroy targets. Cyber attacks, spoofing, and jamming could target the communications and command links connecting satellites to Earth. He also pointed to a particularly unconventional form of orbital warfare: forcing an adversary’s satellite to manoeuvre repeatedly until it exhausts its limited fuel. Gen. Pannu summed up the emerging American posture in stark terms: “They are ready to fight in the orbit to protect their celestial lines of communication.”

Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, Lt Gen P.J.S. Pannu (Retd.), GLOBAL SPACE FUTURES ADVISORY COUNCIL and former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the American announcement should not necessarily be interpreted as the sudden arrival of a new capability.

Space mines, lasers & robotic arms: Lt Gen Pannu decodes US disclosure of weapons in space

wion-defence-pulse

Wion Defence Pulse, News on Wion Defence Pulse, stories on Wion Defence Pulse, articles on Wion Defence Pulse, Wion Defence Pulse stories at Wion, Wion Defence Pulse news, Wion Defence Pulse latest news

WION defence-PULSE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offers battle-tested counter-terror expertise from Operation Sindoor to ASEAN partners

India's CISF prepares for drone warfare and attacks on strategic infrastructure

US Army autonomous warfare overhaul: Gen Ryan warns India & Australia to prepare

An elephant rises at Sea: Meet INS Samarthak

India eyes full military aviation MRO self-reliance in 10-15 years

WION Defence Pulse joins CAPSS, IMR to boost India's push for self-reliance

'Must invest in sensors': Gen Padhi on building combat drones for GPS-denied war

From FPV strikes to 1,000 km missions, India’s drone revolution goes long range

From sensors to soldiers, how AI is transforming battlefield intelligence

Technologies India cannot afford to import: IISc expert lists defence priorities

When munitions start thinking: How India is turning conventional weapons ‘smart’

Space mines and more: Lt Gen Pannu decodes US disclosure of weapons in space