Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), lauded the advancements and capabilities of Made-in-India weapon systems at the CNN-News18 Town Hall on June 28, 2025. The Defence Edition of the Town Hall, themed 'Borders to Business – The Strength of Bharat', focused on the nation's defense forces, indigenous capabilities, and their role in national security and strategy.
Air Marshal Dixit inaugurated the event with a session on 'The Age of Modern Warfare,' emphasizing the evolving nature of battlefields and India's preparedness to stay ahead. He highlighted the necessity for deep surveillance of threats in modern warfare, pointing out the rapid expansion of China's military space program. According to Dixit, China's satellite operations have increased dramatically from 36 in 2010 to over 1,000 by 2024, with more than 360 satellites dedicated to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Dixit stressed the importance of the Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act (OODA) loop in contemporary conflicts, stating that future wars will be won by those who can complete this cycle the fastest. He noted that the speed of modern weaponry has significantly compressed the OODA loop, reducing it from hours to minutes, and sometimes even seconds. This compression is driven by mega small satellite constellations and the fusion of Electro-Optical, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities, which enable a dynamic, persistent, and predictive view of the battlefield.
The Air Marshal also emphasized the importance of intelligence precision, stating that it must match the precision of modern weapon systems. He noted that against networked adversaries, the ability to intercept, localize, and jam communications while integrating COMINT, ELINT, and cyber intelligence is crucial for maintaining operational superiority.
Furthermore, Air Marshal Dixit cited Operation Sindoor as a testament to the potential of indigenous innovation. He stated that the operation demonstrated that when properly harnessed, indigenous innovation can match and even exceed international benchmarks. He specifically mentioned the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) as a prime example of Indian engineering excellence and strategic vision, highlighting its seamless integration with the Indian Army's AkashTeer system.
Other prominent figures also participated in the CNN-News18 Town Hall, including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who discussed the government's strategic roadmap for achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Lt. Gen Vinod G. Khandare (Retd.), former principal advisor to the Ministry of Defence, and Dr. Sudhir Mishra, DRDO Chair, former Director General, DRDO and Ex - CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace, presented on India's growing global defence footprint with the theme 'Made in India, Made for World'. Dr. B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics & Communication System), DRDO, reflected on opportunities for Defence Aatmanirbharta. Assistant Commandant of Border Security Force, Neha Bhandari, along with three fellow women officers who were part of Operation Sindoor, shared their experiences and insights from the frontlines.
The CNN-News18 Town Hall: Defence Edition, aimed to spotlight the contributions of India's armed forces, technological advancements, and the broader defense ecosystem. The event served as a platform for discussions on national security, modern warfare, and the future of indigenous defense production.
