Defence Minister warns of unconventional threats, wants armed forces to go beyond traditional concepts of war

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
KOLKATA, SEPTEMBER 17 (STC): Taking unconventional threats such as information, ideological, ecological and biological warfare as invisible challenges, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has while addressing a press conference yesterday stated that the armed forces should go beyond the traditional concepts of war. He cautioned them to remain alert and ready to deal with the invisible challenges.
The Defence Minister emphasised the need for constant assessment of the changes taking place across the globe, and its impact on the security system of the country, in view of the turbulent global order, regional instability and the emerging security landscape.
He asserted that the nature of warfare is continuously evolving, and the recent global conflicts have underlined the relevance of a “technology-friendly” military. “Wars of today are so sudden and unpredictable that it is extremely difficult to foretell its 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.
Terming India’s defence sector as an amalgamation of the offensive & defensive capabilities, the Defence Minister called upon the Commanders to be proactive in their approach and strive to build the Sudarshan Chakra as envisioned by PM Modi. Stating that a committee has been formed to examine the project and prepare a “realistic action plan”, he suggested devising a medium-term plan for the next five years and a long-term plan for the next ten years to bring the vision to fruition.
Highlighting that the country’s defence sector is centered around modernisation, operational readiness, technological superiority and credible deterrence, Shri Rajnath Singh called for focusing on the mantra of “JAI (Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation)” given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the inaugural session of the conference on September 15, 2025. He batted for deeper engagement with the industry and academia in developing future-ready technologies. He reaffirmed PM Modi’s vision to further enhance the role of the private sector in creating a robust defence innovation ecosystem and making the domestic industry the biggest & best in the world.
He said, “Operation Sindoor has demonstrated that Strength, Strategy and Self-reliance are the three pillars that will give India the power it needs in the 21st century. Today, we have the capability to face any challenge with the help of indigenous platforms and systems coupled with the indomitable courage of our soldiers. This is the real strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he stated that self-reliance is not a slogan, but a necessity, which is key to strategic autonomy. He emphasised that defence indigenisation under self-reliance is fueling economic growth, generating employment, and enhancing the capacity of shipyards, aerospace clusters and defence corridors. This is the multiplier effect of Aatmanirbharta in defence, he said.
(Straight Talk Communications)