Self-Reliance in UAVs and Counter-Drone Systems a Strategic Imperative for India: CDS Anil Chauhan

New Delhi, July 16, 2025:
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday underscored the critical importance of India becoming self-reliant in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), calling them a strategic necessity in the light of evolving threats and operational experiences.

Speaking at a defence technology event in New Delhi, Gen Chauhan referred specifically to Operation Sindoor, a recent military operation that exposed gaps in India’s current drone and counter-drone capabilities, demonstrating the need for home-grown solutions tailored to India’s terrain, threats, and needs.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor

General Chauhan noted that Operation Sindoor was a stark reminder of modern warfare’s changing face. The operation, which involved cross-border surveillance, quick-strike capability, and layered air defence, brought to light the growing reliance on unmanned systems.

“Operation Sindoor has clearly shown us why indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Systems and Counter-UAS technologies, built for our terrain and our needs, are crucial,” he said.

During the operation, adversaries used commercially available drones for reconnaissance and low-cost strikes, while India had to rely on a mix of imported solutions and limited indigenous platforms, many of which struggled to perform optimally in mountainous and desert regions.

Why Self-Reliance Matters

India’s military planners have long warned that imported solutions may not be well-suited to India’s unique terrain diversity — from the Himalayan heights to dense jungles, deserts, and coastal belts.

• Imported systems often need costly customisation.

• Supply chain disruptions during conflicts can be a serious vulnerability.

• Licensing restrictions and dependency on foreign vendors threaten operational sovereignty.

Gen Chauhan explained that self-reliance — the core of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision — is not about avoiding partnerships, but about owning critical technologies that can be adapted quickly during a crisis.

The UAV Challenge

India has made significant strides in UAV acquisition over the last two decades. The military uses:

• Israeli Heron and Searcher drones for surveillance.

• American Predator MQ-9B SeaGuardian (leased for naval reconnaissance).

• Indigenous Rustom and Tapas-BH-201 prototypes under development.

• Small tactical drones from private Indian startups.

However, gaps remain in:

• High-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones.

• Armed combat drones with precision-strike capability.

• Swarm drone technology for massed, cost-effective attacks.

Most critically, India lacks an integrated doctrine that leverages these platforms across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces.

The Counter-UAS Imperative

Counter-drone technology is equally vital. The proliferation of cheap, commercial drones — easily modified for IED delivery, reconnaissance, or target marking — poses a real threat to military bases, border posts, critical infrastructure, and urban centres.

Indian forces have already faced:

• Drone-dropped arms and narcotics in Punjab and Jammu borders.

• Cross-LoC drone surveillance in Jammu & Kashmir.

• Targeted attacks on airbases using drone-launched explosives.

To counter these, India needs robust C-UAS solutions including:

• Jamming and spoofing systems to neutralise enemy command links.

• Directed energy weapons (DEWs) like lasers to destroy drones in flight.

• Kinetic interceptors such as smart guns and small missiles.

• AI-powered detection systems integrating radar, electro-optical, and acoustic sensors.

Gen Chauhan emphasised that these systems must be designed in India, keeping in mind the dusty plains, humid coasts, and extreme cold of the Himalayas, where imported systems may fail or need extensive modification.

Make in India: Current Progress and Challenges

India has taken meaningful steps:

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing indigenous anti-drone systems, deployed at major military events and borders.

• Public sector firms like BEL and HAL are partnering with private startups to produce drones and counter-drone systems.

• Startups like ideaForge and NewSpace Research & Technologies are delivering tactical UAVs to the armed forces.

• The Army, Navy, and Air Force are finalising joint requirements for indigenous combat UAVs under Make in India procurement categories.

Yet challenges remain:

• Scaling production to meet mass deployment needs.

• Funding and supporting a robust defence-industrial base.

• Ensuring smooth technology transfer from research labs to manufacturers.

• Developing a unified command structure for drone and anti-drone operations.

Strategic Context: Regional Threats and Opportunities

India’s push for self-reliance comes amid growing security competition with neighbours:

• China has developed advanced drones, including armed models and autonomous swarms, which have been used extensively in Ladakh.

• Pakistan has imported Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and modified commercial drones for cross-border attacks.

• India’s strategic partners — like the US, France, and Israel — are willing to co-develop technology, but India needs domestic capacity to avoid over-dependence.

By investing in indigenous UAVs and counter-drone systems, India can reduce import bills, generate employment, and gain strategic autonomy.

CDS Chauhan’s Call to Action

In his address, Gen Chauhan urged:

“We need a national commitment that goes beyond individual services or ministries. This is a strategic imperative — not just for defence, but for technological sovereignty.”

He called for:

• Greater R&D funding in defence technology.

• Public-private partnerships that nurture Indian startups.

• Export potential for Indian-made UAVs and C-UAS to friendly nations.

He also reminded industry leaders of India’s track record:

• From importing trainer aircraft to building Tejas fighters.

• From foreign artillery guns to indigenous Dhanush and ATAGS.

• From importing radars to developing home-grown AESA systems.

“We have proven we can do it. Now is the time to do it in UAVs and counter-drone technologies,” he concluded.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

India’s journey toward self-reliance in UAVs and counter-UAS will not be easy or quick. It requires:

• Visionary policy support.

• Sustained investment.

• Close cooperation between armed forces, industry, and academia.

But the rewards are clear: a safer, stronger, and more self-reliant India, capable of meeting the challenges of 21st-century warfare on its own terms.

As Operation Sindoor has shown, India cannot afford to wait. The time for action is now.

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