Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday highlighted the significance of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as a “living laboratory” for understanding modern warfare, drawing parallels to India’s own border situations, including the recent military confrontation with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue, organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the Army chief emphasized that lessons from current conflicts globally are being closely studied to strengthen India’s preparedness for future battles.
Ukraine as a Laboratory for Modern Warfare
General Dwivedi described the Ukrainian battlefield as a real-time testing ground for modern military strategies and technologies. “The Ukrainian battlefield is a living lab in terms of the conditions we are facing along our borders… Drones stalking armoured columns, electronic warfare systems jamming radios, precision fires reaching beyond 100-km range, information campaigns winning wars even before a single shell lands… This is the situation we are facing,” he said.
The Army chief stressed that the nature of future conflicts is evolving. He noted that prolonged periods of peace are declining, and comprehensive conflicts involving multiple domains of warfare are becoming increasingly common. With over 50 ongoing conflicts involving more than 100 nations, General Dwivedi said, “It is the era of jostling and competition,” underscoring the importance of continuous learning from global battlefields.
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
Referring to India’s own military operations, the Army chief said that open-source intelligence and predictive analysis played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor 1.0. Launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, Operation Sindoor saw India striking terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) between May 7 and May 10, before a ceasefire was implemented.
General Dwivedi highlighted the importance of volunteer support and diaspora engagement during the operation. “A lot of volunteers came forward inside the country, and the diaspora assisted us. We were very much empowered as far as Sindoor 1.0 is concerned. We have learnt our lessons. Therefore, whether it is Sindoor 2.0 or any other battle thereafter, we are looking at it in a big way,” he said.
The four-day confrontation involved multiple domains of warfare, including fighter jets, missiles, armed drones, and intense artillery exchanges. The operation showcased India’s ability to employ rapid, precision strike capabilities under tight time constraints.
Modern Warfare and Technological Integration
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, speaking at the same event, described Operation Sindoor as a “compelling example” of modern warfare. He elaborated on the integrated use of precision strike capabilities, network-centric operations, digitized intelligence, and multi-domain tactics within a compressed timeframe.
“The operation demonstrated how modern technological tools, when combined with strategic planning and timely intelligence, can decisively shape outcomes in a short period,” General Chauhan said.
The dialogue, which brings together policymakers, defence researchers, industry leaders, and academics, focused on how emerging technologies can enhance India’s defence capabilities. Both generals highlighted the necessity of studying contemporary conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, to better anticipate future operational challenges and refine India’s military strategies.
Preparing for Future Conflicts
General Dwivedi emphasized that lessons from global conflicts and domestic operations alike are central to preparing India’s armed forces for the evolving battlefield. With precision-guided munitions, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and information operations playing a decisive role, the Army chief indicated that training, strategic planning, and technology integration would be key to maintaining operational readiness.
By closely monitoring ongoing international conflicts and leveraging insights from past operations like Sindoor, the Indian Army aims to enhance its preparedness for multi-domain, high-intensity confrontations. General Dwivedi’s remarks underscored a proactive approach to defense planning, emphasizing adaptability, technological integration, and learning from global military developments to safeguard India’s borders.
In conclusion, the Army chief’s address highlighted a dual approach to modern warfare: learning from international conflicts such as the Ukraine war while simultaneously refining domestic operational strategies. By combining real-time battlefield insights with technology-driven planning, India seeks to ensure that its armed forces remain agile, capable, and prepared for the complexities of 21st-century conflicts.
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