National security strategy must evolve in line with changes in geo-political order: CDS

New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has said that international geo-politics was in a flux and the national strategy should aim to absorb the changes in such a way that it meets the challenges and exploits the opportunities. Inaugurating the DRDO Directors’ Conclave, an annual event of DRDO, in New Delhi on July 14, 2023, Gen Chauhan stressed the need to perform, reform, transform, inform and conform to meet the emerging challenges.

Referring to the “Technology Requirements from Theaterisation”, he said superiority in technology and tactics is the need of the hour and Indian Armed Forces are investing in new technologies to win engagements.

Highlighting the principles of jointness, integration and theaterisation, Gen Anil Chauhan said in the national security realm, the concept of theaterisation is a fundamental change that is on the anvil.

“It is one of the most ambitious changes with far reaching implications attempted post-independence. The start on this journey depends on right steps being taken first towards jointness and integration. Theaterisation involves creation of tri service theatre specific structures for effective response along the entire spectrum of conflict,” said General Anil Chauhan.

The CDS said, integration in physical domain aims to achieve multiplier effect as it combines the unique capabilities of the Services through integrated processes and structures to increase the war fighting capability.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Satish Kamat, in his inaugural address, highlighted the changes occurring in the nature of warfare and criticality involved in them. He stressed on the need to reform and transform the perspectives in tandem with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of Atmanirbharta and Make in India.

General Chauhan released the DRDO’s second list of systems and subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat.  This second list of DRDO is in continuation to the list of 108 items released earlier. He also released the “DRDO Guidelines for Production Coordination”, which outlines the mechanism for production coordination and resolution of issues associated with production of DRDO developed military equipment/ platforms/ systems. The guidelines bring out a two-tier mechanism to resolve issues related to production of these systems by involving designers, users, production agency, quality agencies and other stakeholders. The initiative will further pave the way for Indian Defence Industry to develop defence technologies/ systems towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The two-day conclave is organised as follow up to the various ChintanShivir meetings and review of their outcome by the Defence Minister. It is being attended by top officials of DRDO including Directors General of various technology as well as corporate clusters, directors of DRDO laboratories, directors of DRDO headquarters and IFAs. It will include deliberations on various issues in line with the theme “Redefining Role of DRDO in the Wake of New Government Policies and Emerging Scenarios” through six technical sessions each followed by a panel discussion.

(Defence Watch– India’s Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)