Control of land remains currency of victory in conflicts: Army chief

The army chief pointed to present conflicts to stress the unpredictable nature of warfare, the ongoing transformation, and the importance of advanced technology for decisive results in upcoming battles.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday underlined the decisive role of ground forces in determining conflict outcomes, stating that control over territory will continue to be “the currency of victory,” particularly in India’s context. He emphasized the need to build technological superiority against adversaries, enhance preparedness for prolonged wars, and focus on developing longer-range precision strike systems.

“When you go back to the Alaska conference that took place between the two presidents, they just discussed how much land has to change hands,” he said, referring to the August 15 meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin over the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Others (navy, air force) will look at destruction as the only kind of action that they are required to take. But in the case of land forces or army, it is the eviction and occupation of land which is important. In India, since we have a 2.5-front threat (China, Pakistan and counter insurgency), land will remain the currency of victory.”

Dwivedi shared these views at an event organised by the All India Management Association.

Highlighting ongoing conflicts, he pointed out the evolving nature of warfare, its unpredictability, and the urgent necessity to employ modern technologies for favourable results.

“When Russia went to war (with Ukraine), we always thought that this war would last only for 10 days. The Iran-Iraq war lasted for 10 years. But when it came to Operation Sindoor, we were not sure for how many days it would carry on and most of us were saying, why is it finished in a four-day test match…We need to understand what technology is available with the other side to sustain the war for a longer period. We should be able to make sure that we have enough to last for a longer war,” Dwivedi said.

The Union War Book, he explained, was not formally invoked during Operation Sindoor, though its guidelines were practically followed through a joint national approach. HT had earlier reported that the confidential, blue-coloured manual of more than 200 pages served as a key reference during the operation, guiding officials on government functions and responses in wartime.

India carried out Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting terror camps and military bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike that killed 26 people. Between May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10, Indian forces hit nine terror facilities in Pakistan and PoK, killing around 100 terrorists, and attacked 13 Pakistani airbases and installations.

“The operation was an amalgam of everything…soldiers to various commanders, scientists, policymakers…to the extent that the Union War Book was not invoked, but certain actions that were required to be taken were taken in a pre-emptive manner. It was a whole-of-nation approach. I can say all the right boxes of the war book were ticked without invoking it,” Dwivedi said.

He noted that one major lesson from recent conflicts is the effectiveness of low-cost yet advanced technologies, which can help weaker sides counter stronger adversaries.

“If you have low-cost, high-technology, you will be able to beat back a superior adversary…Force protection is also new thing because you should be able to take the onslaught of the enemy barrage and, thereafter, carry out the required actions…Force visualisation, force protection and force application are the three things are the main things we need to work out.”

Dwivedi added that modern conflicts are no longer confined to defined frontlines, citing Operation Sindoor and wars involving Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel. “They were diffused, dispersed and pervasive. This time you saw we did not know where the missiles were landed, where the drones were, and we also know what kind of cyberattacks were taking place. There was no frontline or border.”

He urged long-term collaborations between the armed forces and industry to fulfil rising defence requirements.

“It’s our job to give you the long-term visibility of our requirements…and thereafter should we change the goalposts…The goalposts will keep changing. If I wanted something to fire at 100 km today, tomorrow it has to go to 300 km. Because it is not only me, the adversary is also enhancing his technology. I need to completely make sure that my technological level is ready to beat his technological impact. Here, atmanirbharta (self-reliance) becomes important.”

The chief stressed the need to expand weapon ranges. “Loitering munitions from the current 100-150 km to 750 km as technology moves, missiles from a particular range today to much beyond…or to the nuclear missile ranges that we have…rockets from 70 km to 300 km. Sky is the limit as far as aspirations are concerned…but can you (industry) provide it, is it possible?”

He underlined that technology is advancing rapidly and the army cannot address it in isolation. “So we are looking at the troika of academia, industry and military. Wherever there is synergy and higher guidance, things will move very fast. The projected defence spending every year from 2025 to 2035 is ₹3 lakh crore with at least 10% increase every year. I think that’s enough to stimulate and catalyse the growth of a cross-domain atmanirbhar ecosystem that synchronises its efforts to deliver cutting edge solutions,” Dwivedi concluded.