Rajnath Singh Urges Armed Forces to Prepare for “Invisible Threats”

India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has called on the armed forces to expand their vision of security and adapt to the challenges of modern warfare. Speaking at the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) in Kolkata, Singh highlighted that wars today are no longer fought solely on traditional battlefields. Instead, nations now face a range of unconventional threats that are often invisible, unpredictable, and deeply disruptive.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the flag-off ceremony of IASV Triveni via video conferencing.(PTI) | Hindustan Times

Adapting to the Shifting Nature of Warfare

In his address, Singh emphasized that the face of war has changed. Traditional forms of conflict coexist with newer, more elusive threats such as information warfare, ideological propaganda, ecological disruptions, and biological risks. He noted that these “invisible challenges” require India’s defence forces to remain vigilant and flexible. Modern wars, he cautioned, are uncertain in their scale and duration, and may last from months to years, making preparedness and adaptability critical.

To counter this unpredictability, Singh urged the military to embrace technology and innovation. A “technology-friendly” armed force, he argued, is not just desirable but essential for ensuring India’s readiness against adversaries who increasingly rely on cyber and information tools. The ability to anticipate and neutralize threats before they escalate will define the success of India’s future defence posture.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor

Singh also praised the armed forces for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, launched in May after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation, which relied on coordinated tri-service efforts, advanced drone technology, and rapid deployment, was described as a clear example of India’s strength, strategy, and growing self-reliance.

More significantly, Operation Sindoor underscored the reality that military action is no longer confined to guns and missiles. Alongside combat operations, a large portion of the Army’s effort went into countering misinformation and hostile narratives spread on digital platforms. Singh noted that the operation highlighted India’s ability not only to respond militarily but also to protect its information space, which is increasingly becoming a battleground in itself.

Project Sudarshan Chakra: A New Defence Vision

Looking ahead, Singh unveiled the roadmap for Project Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious initiative aimed at creating an integrated air defence shield for India. Modeled on systems like Israel’s Iron Dome, the project envisions a comprehensive security umbrella that can protect both military installations and civilian areas from aerial and missile threats.

He explained that the project will be developed in stages, with a five-year medium-term plan and a longer ten-year vision. At its core, Sudarshan Chakra reflects the government’s focus on indigenisation and self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Singh reiterated that building India’s own defence platforms is crucial not only for strategic autonomy but also for ensuring faster innovation and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

Building Jointness and Future Readiness

The Defence Minister also stressed the importance of jointness between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with closer coordination with civilian agencies. In his view, future conflicts will demand seamless cooperation across different domains — land, sea, air, space, and cyber. Achieving such integration will require doctrinal reforms, unified command structures, and streamlined procurement systems.

Singh pointed out that invisible threats such as ecological crises, pandemics, and disinformation campaigns often spill over into civilian life. This makes collaboration between the armed forces, civil administration, academia, and private industry essential. By adopting a “whole-of-nation” approach, India can ensure that its response to unconventional threats is not only military but also societal.

The Road Ahead

The challenges that Rajnath Singh outlined are not distant possibilities but pressing realities. Information warfare, drone incursions, and bio-security risks are already shaping the global security landscape. For India, the task ahead is to translate this recognition into action by reforming doctrine, modernizing technology, and accelerating indigenous production.

The recent lessons of Operation Sindoor, combined with forward-looking projects like Sudarshan Chakra, demonstrate India’s intent to stay ahead of its adversaries. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend on how quickly reforms are implemented and how well the forces adapt to the fast-evolving nature of threats.

The MGMM Outlook

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent address at the Combined Commanders’ Conference reflects a decisive shift in India’s security vision. His warning about “invisible challenges” such as information warfare, propaganda, ecological crises, and bio-risks underlines that modern wars are no longer limited to tanks and missiles but extend into the digital and ideological realms. The successful Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack has already shown how India’s forces can counter both physical assaults and hostile narratives online, proving that strength today lies as much in controlling the information space as in battlefield dominance. Singh’s emphasis on embracing technology, from drones to cyber defence, highlights a government vision where innovation and adaptability form the core of national security.

Equally important is the unveiling of Project Sudarshan Chakra, India’s ambitious plan to build an integrated air defence shield inspired by models like Israel’s Iron Dome. This initiative, rooted in self-reliance and indigenisation, demonstrates India’s determination to reduce foreign dependence while accelerating domestic defence production. Singh’s call for greater jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force — along with coordination with civil agencies and private industry — makes it clear that national security is now a “whole-of-nation” responsibility. In this evolving landscape, India is not just preparing for wars of today but for the uncertain and unconventional conflicts of tomorrow, where vigilance and innovation will define survival and strength.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, PIB, The Economic Times)