NEW DELHI: The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), is hosting a high-profile seminar on “Air Defence Operations in Contemporary Conflicts: Lessons Learnt and Capability Development of Army Air Defence” at RSAMI, Pune. The event brings together senior military leaders, defence experts, and policymakers to discuss evolving air defence (AD) operations, lessons from contemporary conflicts, and the future capability development of Army Air Defence.
A seminar on ‘Air Defence Operations – Contemporary Conflicts, Lessons Learnt & Capability Development of Army Air Defence’ was held at #RSAMI, #Pune. The event focused on modern Air Defence operations, Counter-UAS threats, and advancements in CUAS technology under… pic.twitter.com/KKct9ac3IO
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) February 28, 2025
The seminar has featured an inaugural address by Lt Gen Dushyant Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Director General, CLAWS, followed by a keynote address from Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Command. Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General & Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Defence, has presided over the event, bringing together senior military leaders and experts to discuss the future of air defence operations.
Panel Discussions:
- Air & UAS Operations – Understanding the impact of drones and UAVs in modern warfare.
- AD & C-UAS Ops – Examining emerging technologies and strategies to enhance air defence.
- Synergised Measures to Counter UAS Threats – Addressing the challenges posed by hostile drone operations.
- The Future of Hybrid C-UAS Systems – Exploring integrated solutions for comprehensive air defence.
The seminar also includes a special session on “The Evolution of C-UAS Technology under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” featuring Dr. Azeez P, Scientist ‘G’ and Project Director, DRDO. This session highlights India’s advancements in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) technology, emphasizing indigenous innovation and self-reliance in defence capabilities.
Interactive Sessions: Facilitating open discussions between military strategists, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape the future of air defence capabilities.
The seminar focuses on modern warfare challenges, emphasizing the increasing use of drones, precision missiles, and hypersonic weapons. Experts highlight how these evolving threats reshape warfare and discuss strategies to enhance India’s air defence and counter-drone capabilities.
Rising Threats & Counter-Strategies
The Rising Threat of Drones & Advanced Aerial Attacks
- Drones are widely used for surveillance and precision strikes.
- Long-range missiles and hypersonic weapons demand advanced defence systems.
- The mass deployment of drones has made securing airspace more complex.
How to Counter Drone Attacks?
- Multi-Layered Defence: Deploying diverse weapon systems to detect and neutralize threats at various ranges.
- Electronic Warfare (EW): Using jamming and signal interference technology to disrupt enemy drones.
- Enhanced Command & Control: Improving airspace monitoring for quicker and more effective responses.
Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War
Drones play a crucial role in both attack and defence strategies.
Ukraine’s advanced air defence systems (S-300, Patriot, NASAMS, IRIS-T, SAMP-T) have successfully countered Russian air strikes.
Russia’s electronic warfare (EW) systems have demonstrated effectiveness in neutralizing enemy drones.
Emerging technologies, such as fiber-controlled FPV drones, are challenging traditional EW systems.
Key Takeaways for India
The seminar has emphasized the need to strengthen Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems to protect against drone and missile threats while enhancing Counter-Drone (C-UAS) capabilities across all military operations. Experts have highlighted the importance of developing Electronic Warfare (EW) and jamming technologies to ensure superior air defence. Additionally, integrating drone swarms with infantry, artillery, and aviation units has been identified as a key strategy to improve combat capabilities. The discussions have also reinforced the significance of promoting indigenous defence innovation to achieve long-term sustainability in air defence.
India’s Push for Indigenous Defence Solutions
Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, India is developing advanced air defence and counter-drone systems. The Army Design Bureau (ADB) is collaborating with startups and defence companies to develop next-generation anti-drone technologies, hybrid C-UAS systems, and electromagnetic warfare solutions.
The seminar serves as a critical platform for military leaders, defence experts, and industry stakeholders to strategize for future conflicts. By leveraging global insights and investing in indigenous defence technology, India is fortifying its air defence forces to confront future challenges head-on.
