General Anil Chauhan Addresses Officers of Southern Air Command

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan addressed officers of Headquarters Southern Air Command, shedding light on contemporary security and defence challenges, with a focus on ongoing defence reforms and future warfare strategies.

During his address, the CDS emphasized the key themes of the Year of Defence Reforms, stressing the need to move beyond a colonial mindset and develop a more agile, self-reliant, and future-ready military. He underscored the growing importance of net-centric warfare, cyber security, and space-based capabilities, highlighting their impact on modern military operations.

General Anil Chauhan also delivered the concluding remarks at the Tri-Services Seminar on ‘Synergising Air and Naval Forces – Enhancing Combat Power in the Indian Ocean Region’, conducted by HQ Southern Air Command in collaboration with the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS).

Key discussions during the seminar focused on:

• Expanding Domains of Warfare – The evolving nature of military conflicts, including cyber, space, and hybrid warfare.
• Maritime Security and Air-Sea Integration – Enhancing joint capabilities between the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force to maintain dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Technology-Driven Transformation – The role of AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems in shaping the future battlespace.

The CDS reiterated the imperative of technological adaptation, emphasizing that future wars will be fought in multi-domain environments, requiring greater synergy between land, air, naval, cyber, and space forces.

The seminar saw key addresses by:

• Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), who delivered the Keynote Address.
• Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command, who gave the Opening Address.

A Vision for a Future-Ready Indian Armed Forces

General Anil Chauhan’s address set the tone for transformational reforms, advocating a joint, tech-driven, and adaptable force structure capable of tackling emerging security challenges.

His insights reinforced the vision of a stronger, integrated, and self-reliant Indian Armed Forces, equipped to safeguard national interests in an increasingly complex strategic environment.