Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has revealed that countering fake narratives during Operation Sindoor accounted for 15 percent of the mission’s duration, underscoring the growing importance of information warfare in modern conflicts. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan described Operation Sindoor as a non-contact, multi-domain campaign involving distributed force application, cyber and disinformation efforts, intelligence operations, and network-centric warfare.

The operation, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, began with airstrikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. General Chauhan highlighted that India leveraged indigenous defence systems such as the Akash missile system and integrated both domestic and foreign radar networks to create a cohesive and modernised defence architecture. While Pakistan reportedly relied on Chinese commercial satellite imagery, there was no evidence that it received real-time targeting support.

Real-time integration across air, land, and sea domains, the CDS said, is only as effective as the underlying networks they connect to. He also raised questions about where cutting-edge technologies should be embedded—in the weapon, the platform, or the network—pointing to ongoing challenges in military modernisation.

General Chauhan stressed the shifting nature of warfare, now characterized by flexible and deceptive strategies. The significant time dedicated to combating misinformation during Operation Sindoor demonstrated the necessity for a dedicated information warfare vertical. India’s approach relied on fact-based communication despite slower response times. While military systems remained secure due to air-gapping, public information platforms experienced minor disruptions.

Addressing the future of conflict, General Chauhan discussed the limitations and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in warfare. He warned of the risks automation and robotics bring to decision-making, noting that fewer lives at stake could lead to more aggressive actions. Currently, military AI’s utility is restricted because it depends heavily on open-source data. To enhance its effectiveness, AI must be deeply integrated into operational planning, wargaming, and intelligence analysis.

On bilateral ties with Pakistan, the CDS described India’s approach as strategic and long-term. He noted that at the time of partition, Pakistan was socially and economically ahead of India, but India’s progress today is the outcome of sustained strategy. Cautioning that diplomatic efforts require reciprocity, he said disengagement could be a viable response if hostility persists.

General Chauhan also highlighted India’s maritime domain as its strategic outlet, given geographical constraints posed by conflict with China and instability in Myanmar. He underscored that nuclear escalation in undeclared conflicts is illogical and warned that no war is without significant cost.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced the clearance of India’s indigenous Kaveri engine for inflight testing, marking a pivotal advancement in the country’s aero-engine development efforts. The milestone represents a major step toward self-reliance in defence technology, with the Kaveri engine set to power India’s stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), Ghatak.

Originally developed to equip the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, the Kaveri engine programme faced significant technical and financial setbacks, leading to its decoupling from the Tejas project in 2008. However, sustained innovation by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has led to the creation of a refined dry variant of the engine, now ready for airborne validation.

The inflight testing will be conducted using a modified Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which will serve as a flying testbed. One of the aircraft’s four engines will be replaced with the Kaveri engine to evaluate its performance under various flight conditions, including altitude adaptability, fuel efficiency, and integration with aircraft systems. This controlled environment allows for real-time assessments of the engine’s capabilities during extended operations.

The Kaveri programme has long been a symbol of India’s resolve to master critical defence technologies despite considerable obstacles, including post-1998 international sanctions and a lack of prior engine-building experience. The engine’s first full run occurred in 1996, with its initial inflight test taking place in 2010 at Russia’s Gromov Flight Research Institute, showcasing Indo-Russian collaboration in defence innovation.

With inflight testing now cleared, the Kaveri engine is poised to power not only the Ghatak UCAV but also serve as a foundational technology for future indigenous fighter aircraft. The global cost of developing such an engine is estimated at approximately $2 billion, highlighting the scale and significance of this achievement for India’s defence ecosystem.

The clearance marks a turning point in India’s aerospace ambitions and demonstrates DRDO’s persistence in overcoming technological barriers. As the country continues to strengthen its defence capabilities, the Kaveri engine stands as a testament to indigenous innovation and a critical element in ensuring strategic autonomy.

In a landmark move aimed at boosting self-reliance in defense, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a major reduction in procurement timelines, cutting nearly 69 weeks from the acquisition process. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh shared the development at a press briefing, calling it a key step in achieving the broader national goal of Atmanirbharta and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

The announcement forms part of the MoD’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” an initiative focused on increasing efficiency and reducing bureaucratic delays in defense procurement. The changes are expected to significantly speed up the acquisition of critical equipment, including high-priority indigenous projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which has long faced delays.

The AMCA program, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency, is now aiming for a prototype rollout by late 2026 or early 2027, with a maiden flight scheduled for 2028. Originally projected to take flight in 2018, the program has struggled with funding gaps, production bottlenecks, and delays in securing approvals, particularly for engine development.

Singh also underscored the increasing importance of private sector involvement in defense R&D and manufacturing. He pointed to models like the Strategic Partnership introduced under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 as key to creating a stronger, innovation-driven defense industrial base in India. The Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of ₹54,000 crore worth of military hardware purchases in March 2025 further supports this push, alongside the introduction of revised guidelines that aim to reduce procurement timelines by 10 to 15 percent.

Despite India’s growing economic stature as a $4 trillion economy, its defense sector has remained heavily import-dependent. The MoD’s latest reforms are intended to reverse this trend by empowering both public and private entities to develop and deliver cutting-edge military technologies. Singh highlighted the formation of a high-level committee to craft a clear strategy and business model for production, especially for flagship projects like the AMCA.

The reforms also aim to address regional security dynamics, with rising tensions involving China and Pakistan reinforcing the need for a rapid and self-reliant defense posture. Singh called on private firms to increase investment in indigenous innovation and collaborate with both public-sector units and foreign OEMs to achieve a sustainable defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Industry experts have responded with cautious optimism. While many welcome the shift toward faster, more transparent processes, some remain skeptical about the pace of implementation given India’s historically slow-moving defense bureaucracy. Nonetheless, the reduction in procurement timelines and the emphasis on private sector involvement mark a significant step forward in India’s journey toward defense self-reliance.