Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday revealed key details about the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Addressing a workshop in Delhi, he stated that many of the drones deployed by Pakistan during the hostilities were either ineffective or non-functional—some even recovered in nearly intact condition.
Chauhan said that Pakistan launched a barrage of unarmed drones and loitering munitions towards Indian border states in retaliation for Operation Sindoor, which India had launched in response to the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam. Despite the scale of Pakistan’s drone assault, none of the aerial threats caused any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure.
“Most were neutralised through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means,” he noted, suggesting that India’s drone countermeasures and preparedness were highly effective.
General Chauhan used the occasion to strongly advocate for indigenous weapons and self-reliance in defence technology. He credited India’s homegrown systems for their decisive role in the operation. “Operation Sindoor has shown us why indigenously developed counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) are vital. We must invent and build for our specific needs and terrain,” he said.
The CDS also highlighted that drone warfare is rapidly reshaping global military tactics. “Recent conflicts have shown us how drones can shift the tactical balance disproportionately. We must be ready with tomorrow’s technology today,” he stressed, warning that outdated systems are no longer viable in modern warfare.
Chauhan warned against overdependence on foreign technology, citing vulnerabilities such as production delays, shortage of spares, and compromised operational secrecy. “When we design, make, and innovate at home, we not only secure our capabilities but also surprise our enemies,” he said.
He specifically cited the indigenous Akashteer missile system as a standout performer in the recent operation. Developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), the Akashteer and its advanced variant Akash NG successfully intercepted multiple drone swarms and missile threats during the operation. With the ability to reach speeds of Mach 2.5 and engage targets from 30 metres up to 20 km in altitude, the system proved crucial in defending Indian airspace.
Concluding his remarks, Chauhan noted that asymmetric drone warfare is changing the face of modern combat and compelling militaries worldwide to rethink air defence doctrines. “We must be agile, innovative, and self-reliant to maintain the strategic edge,” he affirmed.
