India Must Be Ready for Both Short, High-Intensity Wars and Prolonged Conflicts, Says CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

India needs to stay prepared for all kinds of future conflicts — short, intense military responses as well as long-duration wars — Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said while speaking at IIT Bombay. His message was clear: changing threats and evolving technology mean India cannot afford to be unprepared. Gen Chauhan explained that India faces two main security challenges. One is terrorism, which may require quick and high-intensity military action to send a strong message of deterrence. The other is the possibility of long-term, land-based conflicts due to unresolved territorial disputes with neighbouring countries. While he did not name any country, he indicated that India shares borders with two neighbours that are nuclear-capable, making it important to maintain strong deterrence and avoid escalation. The CDS stressed that India should be capable of handling short-duration conflicts similar to past operations aimed at countering terrorism. At the same time, the armed forces must be ready for prolonged conflicts, even though such situations should be avoided through diplomatic efforts. Speaking about modern warfare, Gen Chauhan said the world is entering a new phase of military change, which he described as a third revolution in military affairs or “convergence warfare.” He explained that today’s wars are shaped by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum systems, hypersonic weapons, and cyber tools. These technologies work together and affect multiple areas of warfare at once. He also said that multi-domain operations will soon become a necessity rather than a choice. Actions on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace are now closely connected. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example, saying that even though the operation lasted only about four days, India achieved a decisive result by using all domains of warfare together and at high speed. Gen Chauhan added that future wars will demand strong coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with cyber, space, and cognitive forces. He concluded by saying that while India should always work to prevent conflict, being fully prepared remains the best way to protect national security and ensure long-term peace.