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HomeTop NewsNDTV Defence Summit 2025 highlights Atmanirbharta, Operation Sindoor and future of warfare

NDTV Defence Summit 2025 highlights Atmanirbharta, Operation Sindoor and future of warfare

NDTV’s annual Defence Summit 2025 turned into a high-powered platform where India’s political leadership, armed forces, veterans, policymakers and industry experts came together to deliberate on the theme “Warfare in the 21st Century.” The event was marked by strategic insights, operational lessons and a strong push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.

The summit opened with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s keynote address on Operation Sindoor: A Strategic and Operational Success. Singh said the Pahalgam terror attack had received a “decisive military reply” and stressed that atmanirbharta was not only critical for national security but also central to India’s economic resilience.

He declared that “India’s foreign policy is guided by permanent interests, not permanent friends or enemies,” while announcing that all future Indian warships will be built domestically. Singh also cited the indigenous Sudarshan Chakra project as proof of India’s growing strategic vision.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, in his address In Defence of Atmanirbhar Bharat, outlined reforms, innovation and industry collaborations shaping the ecosystem. With a light anecdote, he recalled playing tennis every morning during Operation Sindoor, signalling the leadership’s confidence. He confirmed that the first two Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets with full weapons integration will be delivered by the end of September.

 Armed forces perspectives

The armed forces’ top brass gave the summit its strongest resonance.

  • Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of Air Staff, called Operation Sindoor a “watershed moment” that reaffirmed the IAF’s role as India’s “sword arm.” He revealed that fewer than 50 weapons were used to force Pakistan into a ceasefire, demonstrating both precision and restraint. For the first time, he unveiled the IAF’s integrated air command map.
  • Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Northern Army Commander, detailed the Army’s rapid mobilisation, precision strikes on terror camps and reliance on indigenous technologies. In his address Indian Army: From Restraint to Response, he drew lessons from both Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, highlighting the shifting nature of terror warfare.

Women, drones and future warfare

The summit went beyond operations to spotlight new dimensions of warfare.

  • Shakti in Uniform featured Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and Colonel Anshu Jamwal reflecting on the growing role of women in the armed forces.
  • Drone Acharya: The Evolution of Drone Warfare brought innovators from Paras Defence, IdeaForge, NewSpace Research, and Exicom, who showcased how drones are transforming battlefields.
  • In Lessons from the Past, former service chiefs General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, and Admiral Arun Prakash traced India’s defence journey since 1971 and emphasised inter-service synergy during Operation Sindoor.

 Industry voices and technology push

Industry leaders amplified the summit’s vision of “Make in India, Build for the World.”

  • Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, warned against the risks of AI-driven cognitive warfare, likening it to an “Avengers: Age of Ultron” scenario.
  • Former BrahMos DG Atul Dinkar Rane recounted the “BrahMos Story,” calling the missile a symbol of India’s operational strength and foreign policy tool.
  • Nikhil Joshi (Boeing Defence India), Ashish Saraf (Pratt & Whitney), and Ashok Wadhawan (Adani Defence) spoke about India’s rise as a trusted global defence hub.
  • Amur Lakshminarayanan, CEO of Tata Communications, in his session Reimagining Defence: A Digital Fabric for a Secure and Connected India, stressed the role of telecom, cloud and data infrastructure in securing India.
  • Puneet Kaura of Samtel Avionics showcased cutting-edge avionics that aim to slash import dependence.

Key Highlights:

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said all future Indian warships will be built domestically.
  • Operation Sindoor hailed as a watershed moment; IAF revealed it used fewer than 50 weapons.
  • First two Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets to be delivered in September.
  • Industry leaders warned against AI-driven cognitive warfare and showcased Make in India advances.
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