Pune: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said the Indian armed forces are fully prepared for “Operation Sindoor 2.0” if the situation demands, stressing that all three military services are jointly preparing for future security challenges across multiple domains.

Speaking on the sidelines of the passing out parade of the 150th course at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, the Army Chief said that while there is currently a temporary cessation of hostilities, preparations continue across the armed forces.

Armed forces remain on alert

Referring to Operation Sindoor, General Dwivedi said the operation remains ongoing despite the current pause in hostilities.

He stated that the Indian Army, along with the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, is maintaining operational readiness and preparing for any future developments.

“As far as Operation Sindoor is concerned, it is still continuing. There is a temporary cessation of hostilities. The Indian Army and all three services are preparing well for Operation Sindoor 2.0 if it takes place,” he said.

India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied territories.

Future wars will be fought across multiple domains

The Army Chief highlighted the changing nature of warfare, noting that future conflicts will extend beyond traditional land, sea and air operations.

According to him, modern warfare increasingly involves cyber, space and cognitive domains, requiring armed forces to adapt to rapidly evolving threats.

General Dwivedi pointed out that today’s battlefields are under constant surveillance, making concealment and operational security more challenging than ever before.

“Every movement is visible to the other side. Therefore, we must be extremely careful about deployment strategies, operational employment and safeguarding both troops and civilians,” he said.

Information warfare and national unity

Discussing lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, General Dwivedi stressed the growing importance of information warfare.

He said public trust and national unity would remain critical factors in determining success during future conflicts.

“Victory is won first in the mind, not on the battlefield. Information warfare can only succeed when the entire nation stands together and has faith in those providing the information,” he said.

The Army Chief added that a united and informed society strengthens national resilience during times of crisis.

Military modernisation gathers pace

General Dwivedi said the Indian Army is undergoing significant transformation as part of its “Decade of Transformation” initiative aimed at creating a future-ready force.

He highlighted several technology-driven initiatives, including the establishment of drone battalions, Divyastra batteries, Shaktiman regiments and Bhairav battalions.

The Army is also focusing on network-centric warfare, where data and real-time information will play a decisive role in military operations.

Every soldier should be drone-capable

Emphasising the growing role of unmanned systems, General Dwivedi reiterated his vision of an “Eagle on the Arm”.

He explained that every soldier should be capable of operating drones and utilising emerging technologies effectively on the battlefield.

“Every soldier should effectively have an eagle in their hands. In other words, every soldier must be capable of operating a drone,” he said.

Training programmes and simulation-based learning are already being incorporated into military academies and training institutions to support this objective.

Theatreisation process progressing

The Army Chief also provided an update on the long-pending military theatreisation project.

He said discussions among the Chiefs of Staff Committee have been completed and a report has been submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for consideration.

Under the proposed structure, individual service chiefs will continue to be responsible for raising, training and sustaining forces, while theatre commanders will oversee operational deployment and coordination.

General Dwivedi expressed optimism that implementation could begin within the next two to three years.

Message to NDA cadets

Addressing cadets during the passing out parade, the Army Chief described Operation Sindoor as a benchmark for India’s response to security threats.

He urged the graduating cadets to prepare for an increasingly complex security environment shaped by hybrid warfare and emerging technologies.

“Operation Sindoor demonstrated exactly that, setting a benchmark for how Bharat responds to provocation through precision and resolve. That standard is now yours to uphold,” he said.

Reflecting on his own journey, General Dwivedi noted that he had passed out from the same academy more than four decades ago, describing the occasion as a deeply personal moment.

Conclusion

General Upendra Dwivedi’s remarks underscore India’s focus on military preparedness, technological modernisation and joint-service integration. While hostilities remain paused, the armed forces continue to strengthen capabilities across conventional and emerging domains, ensuring readiness for future security challenges.