Pune

Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday stated that India’s armed forces are fully prepared for a possible “Operation Sindoor 2.0”, emphasizing that the Army, Navy and Air Force are strengthening joint operational capabilities to meet the demands of modern warfare.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of the 150th course at the National Defence Academy in Pune, General Dwivedi said that while hostilities have presently ceased, the armed forces continue to remain on high alert and are preparing for any future contingency.

“Operation Sindoor is still continuing in a broader sense. There is currently a temporary cessation of hostilities, but all three services are preparing thoroughly for the next phase if circumstances demand it,” he said.

Launched in May 2025 following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and showcased India’s capability to conduct precise and coordinated military operations.

General Dwivedi noted that future conflicts would no longer be confined to traditional battlefields. In addition to land, sea and air operations, emerging domains such as cyber warfare, space-based capabilities and cognitive warfare would increasingly shape military outcomes.

He highlighted that modern battlefields have become highly transparent, making troop movements and deployments more visible than ever before. This, he said, requires greater attention to force protection and operational security, particularly in border areas.

Reflecting on lessons from Operation Sindoor, the Army chief underscored the growing significance of information warfare. He remarked that success in conflict depends not only on military achievements but also on public confidence and national unity.

“Victory is ultimately achieved in the minds of people. A nation that trusts its institutions and remains united will always have a decisive advantage,” he said.

According to General Dwivedi, the operation demonstrated India’s ability to deliver a calibrated and purposeful response through integrated planning, real-time intelligence, precision strikes, robust air defence systems, secure communications and seamless coordination across multiple domains.

He also outlined ongoing military modernisation efforts under the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” initiative. New technology-driven formations, including drone battalions, Divyastra batteries, Shaktiman regiments and Bhairav battalions, are being developed to enhance operational effectiveness.

The Army chief stressed that networking and data-centric warfare would be the next major focus area, enabling faster decision-making and greater battlefield resilience.

Speaking about drone warfare, he reiterated his vision of “Eagle on the Arm,” under which every soldier would be trained to operate drones. Training infrastructure and simulation facilities are already being expanded to support this objective, he said.

On the long-pending military theatre command reforms, General Dwivedi said the process was progressing steadily. Discussions within the Chiefs of Staff Committee have concluded, and recommendations have been submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Under the proposed framework, service chiefs would continue to oversee force generation, training and sustainment, while theatre commanders would be responsible for conducting integrated military operations.

He expressed optimism that under incoming CDS NS Raja Subramani, the reform process would move forward and begin taking concrete shape over the next two to three years.

Earlier, while reviewing the NDA passing-out parade, General Dwivedi described Operation Sindoor as a defining example of India’s ability to respond decisively to provocations. Addressing cadets, he said the operation had established a benchmark for precision, resolve and national determination that future military leaders would be expected to uphold.

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Calling the ceremony a deeply personal occasion, the Army chief recalled graduating from the same academy more than four decades ago and reflected on a lifetime of service in uniform as he approaches retirement.