NDTV’s annual Defence Summit 2025, held on August 30, turned into a high-powered platform where the nation’s political leadership, armed forces, veterans, policymakers and industry experts came together to debate and deliberate on the theme ‘Warfare in the 21st Century’.

The proceedings, as per a press release issued after the event, opened with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s keynote address on ‘Operation Sindoor: A Strategic and Operational Success’. Singh underlined how India gave a decisive military reply to the Pahalgam terror attack and called atmanirbharta (self-reliance) not only critical for national security but also central to India’s economic resilience. Declaring that India’s foreign policy is guided by “permanent interests, not permanent friends or enemies,” he announced that henceforth every Indian warship will be built domestically. He also highlighted the indigenous Sudarshan Chakra project as a mark of India’s expanding strategic vision.

The policy framework for a self-reliant India was outlined by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in his address titled ‘In Defence of Atmanirbhar Bharat’. He spoke about reforms, innovation, and industry collaborations shaping the ecosystem and recalled the leadership’s calm during Operation Sindoor—remarking that he played tennis every morning during the campaign to signify the confidence in its execution. He also confirmed that the first two Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets with full weapons integration would be delivered by the end of September.

The armed forces’ perspectives gave the summit its strongest resonance. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of Air Staff, described Operation Sindoor as a “watershed moment” that reaffirmed the IAF’s position as India’s “sword arm.” He revealed that fewer than 50 weapons were used to force Pakistan into a ceasefire, underscoring both precision and restraint, and unveiled for the first time the IAF’s integrated air command map.

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Northern Army Commander, detailed the Army’s rapid mobilisation, precision strikes on terror camps and use of indigenous technologies during Operation Sindoor in his address ‘Indian Army: From Restraint to Response’. He also drew lessons from both Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, pointing to the changing face of terror warfare.

Beyond operations, the summit highlighted new dimensions of warfare and leadership. ‘Shakti in Uniform’ saw Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and Colonel Anshu Jamwal reflect on the growing role of women in the armed forces. ‘Drone Acharya: The Evolution of Drone Warfare’ featured innovators from Paras Defence, IdeaForge, NewSpace Research, and Exicom on how drones are shaping modern battlefields.

The session ‘Lessons from the Past’ brought former service chiefs—General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, and Admiral Arun Prakash—who reflected on inter-services synergy during Operation Sindoor and traced India’s journey in defence technology since 1971.

Industry voices too added critical depth. Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, underlined the role of private players in R&D, exports and global supply chains, warning against the risks of AI-driven cognitive warfare, which he likened to an “Avengers: Age of Ultron” scenario. Former BrahMos DG Atul Dinkar Rane traced the “BrahMos Story,” calling the missile a symbol of India’s operational strength and foreign policy.

The theme of ‘Make in India, Build for the World’ was carried forward by Nikhil Joshi of Boeing Defence India, Ashish Saraf of Pratt & Whitney, and Ashok Wadhawan of Adani Defence & Aerospace, who spoke of India’s emerging role as a trusted global defence hub. Amur Lakshminarayanan, CEO, Tata Communications, in his address ‘Reimagining Defence: A Digital Fabric for a Secure and Connected India’, stressed the importance of telecom, cloud and data infrastructure for security. Puneet Kaura of Samtel Avionics showcased advances in avionics aimed at reducing India’s import dependence.

The NDTV Defence Summit 2025, with its mix of operational insights, policy frameworks and technological showcases, reaffirmed NDTV’s position at the heart of India’s national security discourse. Drawing from the success of Operation Sindoor and looking at future challenges, the summit reflected India’s aspirations and its resolve to shape the global strategic landscape.