- From Foreign Dependence to Atmanirbharta : UAV Innovation Pipeline
- Indigenise to Secure: India’s Drone Future Demands Collaboration, Innovation, and Aggregated Demand
- Seminar Marks Shift Towards Unified UAV-Counter-UAS Vision for National Security
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 16 July 2025. “Drones have suddenly come into sharp focus—especially after recent operational successes. While the technology has been around for a long time, it is only now, after events close to our borders, that the strategic significance of UAVs and counter-UAVs has become widely recognised—even by the average citizen. The widespread use of these technologies in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia had already drawn attention, but it is our own experience that has accelerated national interest and the need for deeper debate and action. Whether we call them drones, UAVs, or loitering munitions, these platforms have added a completely new dimension to modern warfare. Loitering munitions, in particular, are not just drones—they are ammunition, and they must be treated and procured as such. We are only beginning to understand this unmanned domain and must strive to achieve superiority in it through focused effort and sustained innovation, ” emphasised Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), delivered at the inaugural session of the seminar on “Indigenisation of Critical Components Currently Being Imported From Foreign OEMs in the Areas of UAV & C-UAS”, organised by the Scientific Advisor to CISC in collaboration with CENJOWS.
The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) plays a pivotal role in fostering jointness and integration among India’s three armed services—Army, Navy, and Air Force. Established as part of the post-Kargil war reforms, the office of the CISC functions as a key enabler for tri-services synergy and operational coordination under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The CISC serves as the head of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), which is responsible for promoting inter-service cooperation, planning joint operations, and facilitating capability development with a unified perspective. By aligning strategic planning and procurement through an integrated lens, the CISC ensures 
that national security decisions are not taken in silos but reflect collective military strength and efficiency.
“This seminar is a timely platform to address the need for indigenisation of drone components. Over the past few years, we’ve seen an overreliance on foreign parts. As DGP Sen rightly pointed out, both military and civil stakeholders must clearly articulate their requirements. Demand aggregation is critical. At the same time, industry must innovate. The pain points raised here today will be compiled and presented—we are committed to acting on them. A scientific and systematic approach is necessary. Issues such as airspace integration, adapting to evolving threats, and learning from recent conflicts must inform our strategy. Interoperability and mission management are equally crucial. A few key points that emerged today—particularly the need for a demand aggregation pipeline instead of sporadic bank procurements—can fundamentally motivate industry. If we offer long-term visibility, the private sector will invest in indigenisation, driving us closer to strategic independence,” he added.
A primary mandate of the CISC is to support the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in executing joint military doctrines, integrated warfighting strategies, and capability development roadmaps. The CISC also serves as the nodal point for conducting joint training, evolving theatre-level commands, and enhancing interoperability among the services. In recent years, the role of CISC has gained prominence in coordinating tri-service responses to modern threats such as space warfare, cyber operations, and unmanned systems. Through various initiatives such as integrated logistics, joint procurement, and unified operational planning, the CISC ensures that India’s armed forces function as a cohesive warfighting machine rather than individual service branches.
CISC also echoed, “this seminar is about breaking down silos. Today, we have a diverse gathering of military leaders, civil stakeholders, industry, academia, and law enforcement. This is a rich mix—and exactly what is needed to build a culture of continuous learning and collaborative innovation. We must also invest in people. The suggestion to hold smaller, focused micro-gatherings is well taken and will certainly be explored. To all participants—thank you for your insights, your questions, and your commitment. The work we’ve started here today will continue. Perhaps 10 years from now, we’ll look back on this seminar as a defining moment—a foundational step in India’s drone and counter-drone journey. This is our shared investment in national security, innovation, and the greater good. Let us move forward with resolve, imagination, and unity of purpose.”
Moreover, the CISC is instrumental in bridging the gap between military strategy and defence policymaking by working closely with the Department of Military Affairs, DRDO, and other MoD arms. The HQ IDS under the CISC’s leadership also collaborates with institutions like CENJOWS to conduct doctrinal studies, wargaming, and futuristic threat assessments. By promoting a culture of jointness not just in combat, but also in R&D, training, and human resource development, the CISC strengthens India’s transition toward integrated theatre commands. In an era of multi-domain warfare, the CISC’s role is crucial for ensuring that India’s military remains agile, future-ready, and unified in response to evolving security challenges.
Drone warfare has rapidly emerged at the forefront of modern military tactics and strategy due to its unparalleled versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to project power without risking human lives. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enable real-time intelligence gathering, precision strikes, and persistent surveillance over hostile territories—all while operating in contested or denied airspaces. Their deployment in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Iran exchanges, and Operation Sindoor has highlighted how drones are redefining the battlefield by blending conventional and asymmetric warfare. With the capacity to swarm, loiter, and strike high-value targets autonomously or remotely, drones offer strategic depth and tactical surprise. As the lines between conventional combat, hybrid threats, and grey zone warfare blur, drone warfare provides militaries a decisive edge in achieving dominance across land, air, and sea domains.
