"Land is the Only Tangible Success": Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth
Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth emphasizes that despite digital warfare, territorial control remains the true measure of success and calls for Atmanirbharta.
Addressing the complexities of modern warfare at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth delivered a powerful message regarding the essence of military triumph. He asserted that while technology and digital narratives continue to evolve, the ultimate measure of victory remains rooted in the physical control of territory.
The Tangibility of Land in Modern Warfare
General Seth highlighted a critical distinction between the digital noise of the modern era and the physical reality of combat. He noted that while social media is often flooded with "salvo after salvo" of information, these narratives can frequently obscure the actual situation on the ground.
"We see salvo after salvo in today's social media covering warfare across the globe, where information narratives and warfare are being fired to fog the real battle picture, creating uncertainty and confusion," the Army Chief remarked.
Despite the rise of information warfare, he maintained that physical presence is irreplaceable. According to the COAS, victory is, was, and will always be defined by territorial terms. He emphasized that land remains the "only tangible and useful factor of success," as territory can only be occupied, secured, and defended by physical forces.
The Imperative of Atmanirbharta
A significant portion of the General's address focused on the strategic necessity of self-reliance in defence production. He argued that true Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) goes beyond mere procurement; it must encompass the entire lifecycle of military hardware.
General Seth outlined a comprehensive vision for indigenous capability, stating that it must include:
- Designing in India
- Developing in India
- Manufacturing in India
- Sustaining and upgrading in India
- Manufacturing for the global market
He stressed that self-sufficiency is about ensuring the nation can endure without being constrained by the availability or decisions of external providers. However, he issued a stern warning to domestic developers regarding the "trap of indigenous obsolescence." He cautioned that the goal is not just to reduce dependency, but to ensure that locally developed technology does not become outdated by the time it is deployed.
Technology, Battles, and the "War with Pause"
Analyzing the changing nature of conflict, General Seth observed a paradox in how technology affects the duration of wars. While advanced tools may speed up individual battles, they do not necessarily lead to quicker resolutions of entire conflicts.
He described contemporary conflicts as "wars with pause," where timelines become increasingly indefinite. In this new era of warfare, intense fighting is often interrupted by strategic pauses, which represent shifts in intensity rather than an end to the conflict itself.
Empowering the Frontline Soldier
Throughout his speech, the Army Chief insisted that the development of any new capability must be viewed through a single, vital lens: its utility to the soldier on the ground. He stated that the individual who "puts his boots or tracks on the ground" must be at the very heart of all capability development, ensuring that every technological advancement directly empowers those in the line of fire.