‘India showed its resolve, capability, restraint’: Outgoing Army chief General Dwivedi on Op Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a clear demonstration of India’s resolve, capability, and restraint, that resulted in a calibrated military response to terrorism, outgoing Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has said.

In an interview with CNN-News 18, Dwivedi said that Operation Sindoor underscored the importance of intelligence-led, technology-driven warfare.

Future conflicts would be intense, technology-driven, and fought under constant information scrutiny, according to Dwivedi.

"The most important takeaway was that modern operations require the effective integration of intelligence, surveillance, precision capability, secure communications, information management and joint planning. The operation showed that when credible information, national will and coordinated military action come together, decisive results can be achieved," said Dwivedi, who retires on Tuesday.

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India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, in response to Pakistani-backed terrorists' attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. India struck nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). When Pakistan followed with strikes on Indian cities and military installations, India began striking Pakistani military installations, and struck Pakistani runways, airbases, air defence sites, and critical military installations. The conflict ended on May 10 when India accepted Pakistan's request for a ceasefire.

'Modernisation no longer limited to new equipment'

Outlining the transformation that's underway in the Indian Army, Dwivedi said that modernisation is no longer limited to inducting new platforms or equipment. Instead, he said, it includes changes in structures, training, technology, doctrine, systems, and human resource management.

"Recent operational experiences have shown that future effectiveness will depend on how quickly intelligence, surveillance systems, weapons, communication networks and commanders can work together. The Indian Army is therefore moving towards more agile, networked and technology-enabled units and formations," said Dwivedi.

Recalling indicatives like all-arms Rudra Brigades, light quick response Bhairav Battalions, Ashni Drone Platoons, Shaktibaan Regiments, and Divyastra Batteries, Dwivedi said that the aim is to make the Army more responsive, precise, and better prepared for a technology-intensive battlefield.

Dwivedi said that the focus is on building a complete drone ecosystem as they are not just used for surveillance but for a host of purposes: intelligence, surveillance, target identification, precision engagement, logistics, battle damage assessment, and force protection.

"The Indian Army’s approach is capability-driven rather than number-driven. Different categories of drones are required for different roles, ranging from small tactical tasks to long-range surveillance, logistics and precision missions. This includes indigenous manufacturing, trained manpower, maintenance support, training infrastructure, doctrine, counter-drone capability and integration with operational planning," said Dwivedi.