India must accelerate the development of its indigenous Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) programme and establish a dedicated joint drone warfare centre to prepare for the future of autonomous combat, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said on Friday. Speaking at a seminar on unmanned systems in the national capital, the senior officer warned that modern warfare is rapidly shifting toward robotic and AI-driven operations across land, air, and maritime domains. 

Air Marshal Dixit stressed that India’s military doctrine and operational planning must evolve at a much faster pace to counter emerging drone threats. He argued that tactical doctrines should be reviewed every six months instead of following traditional multi-year revision cycles. According to him, the proposed joint drone warfare centre should include live simulation capabilities, red-team exercises, and integrated tri-service coordination to prepare the armed forces for increasingly sophisticated autonomous threats. 

The officer also called for greater urgency in advancing the Ghatak programme, India’s indigenous stealth UCAV project being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He highlighted the growing importance of “autonomous wingman” systems, in which fighter pilots can control multiple unmanned platforms equipped with sensors, electronic warfare systems, and precision weapons during combat missions. Dixit cited international examples such as the US Air Force’s XQ-58A Valkyrie and Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat to underline how major military powers are integrating manned and unmanned combat systems. 

Also Read: Global Fuel Prices: Pakistan Up 55%, US 44%, India Registers Rs 3 Increase

Referring to lessons learned from recent military operations, including Operation Sindoor, Dixit said India’s integrated air defence systems had successfully countered coordinated drone and loitering munition threats. He explained that systems operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force were linked into a common operational network that enabled coordinated responses against attempted airspace saturation attacks. However, he cautioned that adversaries are already developing drones capable of bypassing conventional radio-frequency jamming using fibre-optic controls, AI-enabled navigation, and low-observable designs. 

The Air Marshal further noted that future conflicts will not be decided solely by fighter aircraft or traditional military assets, but also by artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, autonomous systems, advanced electronics, and industrial capability. He urged Indian defence manufacturers and MSMEs to become long-term strategic partners in strengthening the country’s indigenous defence ecosystem. The remarks align with India’s broader “Atmanirbhar Bharat” push aimed at reducing dependence on foreign military technology and boosting domestic defence production. 

India has increasingly prioritised drone and autonomous warfare technologies as geopolitical tensions and evolving battlefield strategies reshape military planning worldwide. The proposed tri-service drone infrastructure and acceleration of the Ghatak UCAV project are expected to form a major part of the country’s long-term defence modernisation strategy under the broader Vision 2047 roadmap for the armed forces.

Also Read: MP High Court Quashes ASI Order Allowing Namaz At Bhojshala Complex