Asserting that the nature of warfare is continuously evolving, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the country’s Armed forces to move beyond traditional warfare and prepare for emerging, unconventional threats, including information, ideological, ecological, and biological warfare.

Addressing the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata, Singh said the nature of war has become sudden and unpredictable, making it difficult to foresee its duration.

“Wars of today are so sudden and unpredictable that it is extremely difficult to foretell their duration… It can be two months, a year, or even five years. We need to be prepared. We need to ensure that our surge capacity remains sufficient,” he added.

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of JAI (Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation) as three core pillars for the nation’s defence sector, Singh said the jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with other agencies, is crucial for addressing future challenges. He highlighted the creation of Tri-Service Logistics Nodes and a Tri-Service Logistic Management Application to enhance integration.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to self-reliance, Singh called it a necessity for strategic autonomy. Defence indigenisation not only boosts the economy and creates jobs but also strengthens the capacity of shipyards, aerospace clusters, and defence corridors, he added.

Commending the success of Operation Sindoor in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Defence Minister noted that the operation proved that India has the capability to face any challenge with indigenous platforms and the courage of its soldiers.

He also called for deeper engagement with both industry and academia to develop future-ready technologies. A committee has been formed to create a “realistic action plan” for PM Modi’s “Sudarshan Chakra” project, with a medium-term plan for five years and a long-term plan for ten years, he added.

In an effort to streamline the defence procurement process, Singh announced his approval of the Defence Procurement Manual 2025. He also stated that the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 is being revised to simplify processes, reduce delays, and provide operational strength to the forces more quickly.

The conference was attended by top officials of the Indian Armed Forces, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, among others.