Rajnath Singh Urges Armed Forces to Prepare for Unconventional Warfare

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has urged India’s Armed Forces to broaden their vision of national security beyond conventional battlefields and prepare for “invisible challenges” such as information warfare, ideological manipulation, ecological disruption, and biological threats. He made these remarks while addressing the Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 16 September 2025.

Call for Adaptation in a Turbulent Global Order

Speaking against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable global security environment, Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of constant assessment of international developments and their potential implications for India. He noted that the evolving nature of conflict requires armed forces to remain agile, innovative, and technologically equipped.

“Wars today are so sudden and unpredictable that it is difficult to foretell their duration. It can last two months, a year, or even five years. We must ensure our surge capacity remains sufficient,” he cautioned, highlighting the lessons from ongoing global conflicts where technology has become central to modern warfare.

Vision of the Sudarshan Chakra

Shri Rajnath Singh described India’s defence strategy as a balance of offensive and defensive capabilities. He urged military commanders to be proactive in planning and execution, linking their approach to the concept of the Sudarshan Chakra as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

To operationalise this vision, a committee has been formed to chart out a realistic action plan. The Raksha Mantri suggested that the Armed Forces prepare a medium-term roadmap for the next five years and a long-term vision for the next ten years, focusing on capacity-building and future readiness.

Focus on “JAI” – Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, Innovation

Central to Shri Rajnath Singh’s address was Prime Minister Modi’s mantra of “JAI – Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation.” He emphasised:

• Jointness: Promoting synergy across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as closer coordination with civilian agencies. He cited the creation of Tri-Service Logistics Nodes and the Tri-Service Logistic Management Application as key steps toward integration.

• Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance): He reaffirmed that self-reliance in defence is a necessity, not a slogan. Indigenous platforms, shipyards, aerospace clusters, and defence corridors are strengthening India’s strategic autonomy while also fueling employment and economic growth.

• Innovation: He called for deeper collaboration with industry and academia to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies and future warfare capabilities.

Operation Sindoor and India’s Indigenous Strength

Reflecting on recent military achievements, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the Armed Forces for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a demonstration of Strength, Strategy, and Self-reliance. He asserted that indigenous platforms, systems, and the courage of Indian soldiers now empower the country to face any external challenge with confidence.

“This is the real strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he remarked, commending the professionalism of the Armed Forces.

Reforming Defence Procurement and Acquisition

The Raksha Mantri also highlighted structural reforms to streamline India’s defence procurement process:

• Approval of the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 to simplify procedures and speed up acquisitions.

• Revision of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 to cut down delays and ensure timely delivery of critical capabilities to the forces.

These reforms, he said, aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and operational readiness, while reinforcing India’s defence industrial ecosystem.

Senior Leadership in Attendance

The conference was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Dr Niten Chandra, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, and Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Dr Mayank Sharma, among other senior officials.

Building India’s Strategic Future

Shri Rajnath Singh’s address reiterated the government’s commitment to building a future-ready, technology-driven, and self-reliant defence ecosystem. By balancing modernisation, deterrence, and jointness, India seeks to strengthen its security architecture in line with the whole-of-nation approach to national defence.

As the Armed Forces adapt to the changing nature of warfare, the emphasis on innovation, private sector participation, and indigenous capacity-building is expected to ensure that India not only safeguards its sovereignty but also emerges as a global leader in defence technologies.