Overview

• Speaking at East Tech 2025 in Ranchi on September 19, General Anil Chauhan said India is moving to develop indigenous capabilities for space and cyber operations.
• He urged a comprehensive assessment of DRDO and other defence R&D efforts to determine whether long-running projects still meet current operational needs.
• The CDS pressed for a broader manufacturing base that leverages artificial intelligence and other advanced techniques to accelerate capability development.
• He noted that indigenisation started late but asserted that the country is on a sound trajectory toward greater self-reliance in defence.
• He emphasized state-level participation under the Act East policy, citing Jharkhand and West Bengal as key contributors to defence industrial growth.