Overview
- Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan used the Shirdi opening to say future wars will span land, sea, air, cyberspace and cognitive domains and that technology will determine advantage on the battlefield.
- Chauhan named specific technologies shaping that shift, including artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, autonomous platforms, cyber systems, space technology and precision strike weapons.
- He cited India's defence output and trade figures to show progress, saying domestic manufacturing has reached nearly Rs 1.27 lakh crore and exports have crossed about Rs 38,000 crore with sales to over 100 countries.
- The new NIBE Defence Manufacturing Complex led by Nibe Limited will make ammunition and related systems, with officials noting the plant will produce large volumes of 155 mm artillery shells as part of wider private-sector supply growth.
- Leaders pitched Shirdi as a regional defence hub and called on engineers and innovators to join the effort, a move that could shift jobs, regional industry and procurement toward private, technology-focused suppliers and boost self-reliance.