India eyes global leadership in drone manufacturing, says Rajnath Singh

India is aiming to become a global hub for drone manufacturing as new technologies bring fundamental changes to the concept of warfare, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. In an address at an event, Singh explained that the Modi government is adopting an "adaptive defence" approach to address emerging security challenges.

"Adaptive defence is not merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively," Singh said, elaborating on the concept. "In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate and thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances."

He added that key elements of adaptive defence include situational awareness, flexibility at both strategic and tactical levels, resilience, agility, and integration with futuristic technologies. "These are the keys to understand and create adaptive defence," Singh emphasized.

The Defence Minister described adaptive defence as not just a strategic choice, but a necessity. "As the threats to our nation have evolved, so too must our defence systems and strategies. We should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future," he said.

Speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Singh highlighted India’s goal of becoming a global leader in drone manufacturing. "Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. This would not only help the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to our Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme," he said.

Singh observed that drones and swarm technologies are bringing fundamental changes to the nature of warfare. "The development has changed the post-World War II understanding of warfare completely," he noted. "The traditional notions and concepts of warfare in all three dimensions—land, air, and water—have been rapidly changing. These dimensions are being seen as overlapping due to drone and swarm technology interventions," he explained.

He further emphasized that traditional notions of war are being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships. "New perspectives, doctrines, and concepts of operations are emerging within the armed forces," Singh said. "These changes are not just theoretical; they are already being implemented on the ground."

Singh also pointed out the diverse range of security challenges India faces, from traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare. The government, he said, recognizes the need for an adaptive defense strategy in a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological landscape.

"To address these challenges, we have taken several initiatives to build a robust and self-reliant ecosystem," Singh said. These initiatives include the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) position, promoting jointness among the three armed services, modernizing the training curriculum, and forging new defense partnerships globally.

Singh also called for a collaborative approach to deal with contemporary defense and security issues. "The current geopolitical dynamics and cross-border issues make a collaborative approach to defence essential," he said. "The ambiguities of cyberspace, AI, and the vast potential of quantum & nanotechnologies further demand collaboration and sharing of knowledge, perspectives, information, and strategies, if possible."