Anti Drone Systems Are The Need of The Hour For The Indian Armed Forces

On 10th March, 2025, New Delhi, the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) effectively organized a high-level symposium on “c”. Emphasizing the transforming effect of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) on modern warfare, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), gave the keynote speech.

Gen Chauhan emphasized the extremely disruptive main trends -celerity, robotics advances, and AI-driven intelligence – that UAS is leveraging. Referring to current wars, he underlined how low-cost, highly impactful drone technologies are transforming military economy. For the Indian Armed Forces, CDS proposed the need of establishing a shared language and syntax on UAS / Drones / Uncrewed Systems. Stressing doctrinal clarity in UAS classification, he described four generations of UAS and the necessity of creating comprehensive Counter-UAS systems. To guarantee India’s self-reliant defense future, he also urged cooperation among consumers, designers, and manufacturers.

With an eye on indigenous growth and self-reliance under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the conference highlighted India’s advancements in UAS and counter-UAS technologies. Drone warfare was also highlighted.

• Strategic Dialogue on Drone Warfare: Experts offered in-depth study on India’s drone needs, artificial intelligence integration in drone warfare, and important lessons from continuing world conflicts.

Talks on the growing expression of drone threats along India’s northern and western borders as well as in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) underlined the need of improved detection and neutralizing technologies, so strengthening border security.

Leading defence industry representatives including JSW UAV ltd, Mahindra Defence, Adani Defence Systems, Kepler Aerospace, and Shyam VNL Pvt Lt presented innovative ideas for counter-UAS warfare in enhanced collaboration between military and industry.

• Policy Recommendations for a National fight-UAS Strategy: The conference enabled high-level debates on a “Whole-of-Nation” approach to fight drone threats encompassing legislative frameworks, electronic warfare improvements, and multi-domain unmanned systems.

Prominent military and strategic leaders including Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal chaired several talks, so augmenting the conversation on future counter-drone strategies.

To discuss on the most recent developments in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and changing counter-UAS measures, the seminar gathered eminent experts from the Indian Armed Forces, strategic policymakers, business executives, and domain experts. It underlined the need of including indigenous technologies into strategic policy plans to improve national security. It covered all the stake holders, including Coast Guard and Police, BSF, ITBP, The accompanying show highlighted innovative developments in drone and counter-drone technologies, hence reinforcing India’s leadership in modern military capability.