Chief of Defence Staff general Chauhan highlights Technology, AI, and space in future warfare

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday outlined the evolving nature of modern warfare, emphasising the growing role of technology, artificial intelligence, and space in shaping future conflicts. Speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), he warned that in war, there are no runners-up or consolation prizes, with the survival of nations often at stake.

“War is all about managing the stakes are always high. There are no silver medals or consolation prizes for valiant efforts. The fate of nations is determined by how conflicts are fought and won,” the CDS said. He highlighted that success in warfare has historically depended on sound strategy, calling it “the art of the journey.”

Tracing the evolution of combat, General Chauhan noted that while geography once provided a decisive advantage to commanders, technology began influencing outcomes significantly after the invention of gunpowder. Today, technological advancements are rapidly reshaping the battlefield.

He referred to the current phase as the “third revolution in military affairs,” which he described as convergence warfare, a confluence of kinetic and non-kinetic operations, blending contact and non-contact battles. Modern commanders now rely on a vast array of sensors, providing near-complete battlefield transparency and high situational awareness.

Speaking on the role of artificial intelligence, the CDS said, “Combat has always been human-centric, but we are now on the cusp of history where machines could fight machines. Human decision-making is being augmented by AI to outpace enemy responses.”

General Chauhan also pointed out the operational complexities of urban warfare, citing multiple threat levels, restricted lines of sight, and civilian presence as factors that make urban combat particularly challenging.

Finally, he underscored the growing importance of space, noting that it has evolved from a support domain to a decisive battlefield. “Space will increasingly shape the outcomes of future conflicts,” he said.

The CDS’s address highlighted the intersection of strategy, technology, and innovation as key drivers of India’s defence preparedness in an era of rapidly evolving warfare.