Indian challenges require Indian solutions: Gen Dwivedi on 'Atmanirbharta' push (IANS Exclusive)
New Delhi, June 30
Emphasising that "Indian challenges require Indian solutions", Outgoing Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that 'Atmanirbharta' or self-reliance is a "core requirement" of national security and future warfare.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Gen Dwivedi said that in times of crises, the country should rely on its own systems. He mentioned that indigenous systems have performed well and are becoming central to the national security framework.
When asked about the Centre's Atmanirbharta (Indigenisation) push and the Army's support in that direction, Gen Dwivedi said, "Atmanirbharta is now a core requirement of national security and future warfighting. In a crisis, the nation must be able to rely on its own systems, its own industrial base and its ability to sustain long-duration conflicts."
"Indigenous systems have performed well and are becoming central to surveillance, communications, electronic warfare, precision engagement, information management and operational decision-making. Indigenous capability is no longer peripheral to military preparedness; it is increasingly becoming an essential part of it," he added.
At the same time, the outgoing Army Chief emphasises that modern warfare is evolving rapidly and the capability requirements will continue to emerge, especially in areas such as long-range precision fires, advanced munitions, drones and counter-UAS.
"The need for better systems for electronic warfare, resilient communications, AI-enabled decision systems, autonomous platforms and battlefield awareness will continue to increase. Therefore, it is important that the defence industry is prepared to deliver current and future requirements of the defence forces," he said.
"We need Indian solutions for Indian challenges because our terrain, threat matrix and operational requirements are unique. Our engagement with DRDO, DPSUs, private industry, MSMEs, start-ups and academia is aimed at faster trials, better hand-holding and quicker induction," Gen Dwivedi added.
He also spoke about Operation Sindoor and said that it has validated the Indian Army's "joint, integrated, and future-ready warfighting capabilities", while showcasing the "collective strength" of India's security framework.
Gen Dwivedi said that Operation Sindoor also reinforced the importance of the Army's transformation as an "integrated institutional process" and "multi-domain integration".
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who follows defence news, I appreciate the push for indigenisation. But I hope the quality control is stringent. We've had cases where indigenous equipment didn't meet requirements, leading to delays. The army needs to work closely with startups and MSMEs to ensure they're getting battle-ready tech, not just 'Made in India' tags.
Finally a military chief who speaks practical sense! "Indian challenges require Indian solutions" should be our defence mantra. The terrain in Ladakh is nothing like the terrain in Europe or the Middle East. We need weapons and strategies tailored for the Himalayas and our borders. Proud moment for our R&D institutions!
I'm all for self-reliance, but let's be realistic. Building advanced drones, AI systems and electronic warfare capabilities from scratch takes decades of consistent investment and policy support. The government needs to ensure that the private sector gets long-term orders, not just tax breaks. Only then will we see real innovation.
Best thing I've heard all week! Atmanirbharta in defence is the only way forward. We can't be like our neighbours who beg for weapons from everyone. The Operation Sindoor mention shows that our forces are already thinking multi-domain. Imagine Indian-made AI drones and Indian-made missiles defending our borders—that's the future!
A balanced take from Gen Dwivedi. While indigenisation is critical, he also acknowledged that modern warfare demands evolving capabilities. The key will be how quickly the bureaucracy can clear projects. We've seen DRDO take decades for some projects. The army, startups,
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.