CISC Air Marshal Dixit sums up Op Sindoor lessons—traditional battlefield ideas ‘irrelevant'
Speaking at a seminar on surveillance and electro-optics, jointly organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and Indian Military Review (IMR) in the national capital, he emphasised that modern surveillance capabilities must now allow the military to detect, track and identify threats while they are still in staging areas, airfields or bases deep within adversary territory.
'When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, the classical ideas of front, rear, and flanks become irrelevant. The front of the theatre merges into one,' he said. 'This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have imagined.'
New Delhi: Traditional battlefield concepts such as frontlines, depth areas, and rear zones are no longer relevant in an era defined by long-range precision strikes and real-time surveillance, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said Wednesday.
'This existed as a concept earlier, but today we have the means to realise it,' he said.
Speaking on the achievements of Operation Sindoor, he said, 'The operation had clearly demonstrated that indigenous innovation, when properly harnessed, can match and even exceed international benchmarks.'
He added that at the core of the success was IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which was also synced and integrated with the Army's Akashteer system, providing a joint and integrated approach to the air defence of the nation.
'In modern warfare, information without the ability to act upon it rapidly is of limited value. IACCS compressed our sensor-to-shooter timelines dramatically, enabling responses that outpaced adversary decision cycles,' said Air Marshal Dixit.
'The result was clear—not a single Pakistani aircraft breached our airspace, while our precision strikes successfully degraded their AD capabilities and aerial infrastructure. This success was not accidental but the result of years of indigenous development, rigorous testing and continuous refinement and demonstrated the importance of self-reliance in national security.'
On the lessons from the conflict early last month, Air Marshal Dixit emphasised that the operation reaffirmed the centrality of surveillance in modern conflict.
'Operation Sindoor demonstrated how modern warfare has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability. Precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER, as well as beyond visual range air-to-air and supersonic ground-attack missiles, have rendered geographical barriers nearly meaningless.'
He added, 'When hypersonic missiles travel hundreds of kilometres in minutes, and drone swarms reach targets before decisions can be made, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just helpful, but critical for survival.'
Drawing parallels from recent global conflicts, including between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the battlefield.
He further underlined the emerging role of space-based assets and emerging technologies in enhancing India's surveillance architecture.
He further highlighted the foresight of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in enabling private sector participation, especially through the transfer of Optical Imaging System technology.
'This has already resulted in compact, long-range surveillance platforms that increase operational flexibility. I urge companies to see themselves not just as vendors, but as partners in national security,' he said.
Looking at the future, he added that India's existing MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) and HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) platforms, and MQ-9, Rustom and TAPAS unmanned aerial vehicles, must evolve with modular payloads, advanced sensor fusion and artificial intelligence-assisted analysis to provide battlefield commanders with timely, actionable intelligence.
Lt Gen Vineet Gaur, director general (capability development), who was also present at the event highlighted that, of the 52 spy satellites that India is expected to launch in the coming years, 31 will be built by private sector firms.
'This marks a shift in our approach to defence modernisation, one that is faster, more agile and more collaborative with the private industry,' he said. 'These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence preparedness.'
He also emphasised the prioritisation of underwater surveillance, especially in light of Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 'Our electro-optical platforms must be all-weather and all-domain. Cyber resilience and a common data language are also key for interoperability.'
Air Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh, assistant chief of air staff (plans), who was also part of the panel, emphasised the critical role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare. He further noted that enhanced battlefield imagery and robust monitoring systems have become essential to operational effectiveness.
'We need to integrate our surveillance systems in the same way our air defence systems are integrated. Only then can we achieve true synergy and interoperability,' he said.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: Defence ministry plans own Raisina Dialogue-style conference—Ran Samvad, likely to be held in August
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Zen Technologies acquires 55% stake in Raghu Vamsi Group's defence drone company TISA Aerospace
HYDERABAD: With the spotlight on the defence drone sector post Operation Sindoor, Hyderabad-based anti-drone tech player Zen Technologies Limited has acquired majority stake in emerging defence technology player TISA Aerospace Pvt Ltd, which specialises in indigenously developing loitering munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Zen Technologies will be acquiring around 54.7% stake in Hyderabad-based TISA Aerospace for a consideration of nearly Rs 6.6 crore. This it will be doing through the acquisition of 2,06,518 equity shares from existing shareholders in the company. Zen Technologies will also be acquiring another 4 lakh 6% compulsory convertible debentures of TISA, which was set up by Raghu Vamsi Group's promoter Vamsi Vikas Ganesula and Kiran Kumar Vagga in December 2020. News of the acquisition powered Zen Technologies shares to the 5% upper circuit at Rs 1995.30 a share on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday as compared to the previous sessions close of Rs 1900.30 a share. The move marks Zen Technologies' foray into the rapidly growing domain of loitering munitions, UAVs and precision guided weaponry. Zen Technologies chairman and managing director Ashok Atluri said the move would beef up the company's presence in the rapidly evolving defence drone sector. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'TISA's expertise in loitering munitions provides us with immediate access to advanced technologies and platforms that align with the emerging operational requirements of the armed forces,' he said. Pointing out that TISA has achieved significant R&D milestones, which includes the successful execution of a project for DRDO with critical design assistance from IIT Madras, Atluri said: 'By integrating these capabilities with our existing strengths in anti-drone systems and propulsion technologies, we are building a broader and more future-ready defence portfolio.' He said the move is in line with India's 'urgent need' for self-reliance in defence capabilities, particularly in drones and loitering munitions. 'We see strong potential in product integration across platforms, enabling us to scale faster and compete more effectively in both domestic and global markets,' Atluri added. TISA Aerospace is focused on the design, development, and manufacture of advanced loitering munitions and UAVs tailored for defence applications. The company has successfully delivered loitering munitions meeting DRDO specifications and is developing new variants for the Indian Army. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Position Andhra as hub for advanced aerospace, defence tech: CM Naidu
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday emphasised the need to position the state as a hub for advanced technologies and innovation in the aerospace and defence sectors. Position Andhra as hub for advanced aerospace, defence tech: CM Naidu Reviewing the Aerospace and Defence Policy 4.0 at the Secretariat, which aims to attract investments of up to ₹ 1 lakh crore, Naidu stressed the importance of technology in defence, especially in the wake of Operation Sindoor. "The Chief Minister emphasised the need to position the state as a hub for advanced technologies and innovation in the aerospace and defence sectors… He underscored the growing role of technology in national defence," said an official press release, quoting Naidu. He also highlighted the importance of developing such technologies for both defence applications and improving daily life. Pointing to the immense potential in national defence and internal security, Naidu said the new policy should play a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of industries aligned with these priorities. Naidu suggested several amendments to ensure national security remains a top focus. Aerospace and Defence Advisor Satish Reddy also joined the review meeting via video conference and offered his suggestions. Further, Naidu underscored the need to support MSMEs in the sector and proposed a ₹ 100-crore annual corpus fund, along with the inclusion of logistics subsidies in the new policy. The policy designates specialised manufacturing corridors across Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam-Srikakulam for naval systems, Jaggaiahpet-Donakonda for missile production, Kurnool-Orvakal for drone technologies, and Lepakshi-Madakasira for aerospace electronics. Tirupati is expected to emerge as a research and development hub with the proposed DRDO Centre of Excellence, the press release added. Officials informed Naidu that Bharat Forge and Millimetre Wave companies are preparing to invest in the Madakasira cluster. So far, 23 companies have invested ₹ 22,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh's aerospace and defence clusters, generating employment for 17,000 people, the press release stated. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu emerging as key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, and other electronic defence systems
The Union govt referred to Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a milestone in the nation's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations — in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The operation significantly boosted demand for drones manufactured by indigenous companies. Projections peg the size of the Indian drone market to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for 12.2% of the global drone market. The ban on imported drones and the launch of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sept 30, 2021, with a total incentive of ₹120 crore spread over three Financial Years (FYs), are laying the groundwork for India making huge strides in the drone ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is emerging as a key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, as well as building broader electronic defence systems, including UAV jammers and sophisticated payload delivery systems. The state has notable companies, both startups and veterans, such as Dhaksha, Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Geo Navigation, ePlane company, Big Bang Boom, Data Patterns, all of which are building strategic UAVs and related technologies. Many of these firms, which had quietly developed defence-grade technologies over the years, are now seeing a surge in interest and keeping them busy with product demonstrations on field in crucial areas. Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa, which is making small drones and autopilots, says they received 5X increase in order enquiries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. "The way drones were predominantly considered as a tool for surveillance has now changed," he said. Zuppa works closely with the ministry of defence and army units to develop systems suitable for the specific terrains and mission conditions. Garuda Aerospace, traditionally known for agricultural drones, is focussing on defence applications in recent months. "We are developing eight different drone platforms and collaborating with global players such as Lockheed Martin and Thales," said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO. "We have participated in emergency procurement rounds and held about 40 field demonstrations. Our focus now is to design based on ground-level operational needs and co-develop with defence forces." Tamil Nadu is not the only drone manufacturing hub in India. The drone ecosystem is spread in peninsular India, spanning Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, which benefit from the presence of public sector giants like HAL and DRDO. However, Tamil Nadu is attempting to close the gap. Since 2022, the state has ramped up its policy and infrastructure support for the sector. Wing Commander P Madhusoodhanan, vice president of Aerospace and Defence at TIDCO, and CEO of TN UAV corporation, said, "The drone industry is at an inflection point. With military procurement expanding, we expect greater scale and sustainability." The ministry of defence is setting up four UAV testing and certification facilities near Sriperumbudur, expected to be operational by year-end. He said that these centres are focused on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and electro-optics, among the few of their kind in India and will reduce the testing cost in the state and spearhead development. TN companies' role extends beyond making drones. Dr Shivaraman Ramaswamy, CTO of Big Bang Boom Solutions, which has artificial intelligence and EW capabilities, said demand for its anti-drone systems is rising. He further said the state has a suitable environment for manufacturing defence systems, with the advantage of using electronics manufacturing service and fabrication from engineering firms. The presence of one of the country's two defence corridors, expertise in auto, aerospace and electronics manufacturing, vibrant research by educational institutions such as MIT, IIT-M, huge capacity for training drone pilots and training the trainers puts TN in a sweet spot in defence drones. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of indigenous supply chains remains a concern. Executives TOI spoke to said the union govt should hold more consultation with the companies doing actual work and urged the state govt to facilitate consultation. Many press the need for handholding by armed forces in designing and developing the technologies as more important than subsidies.
