Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, during the Brainstorming Session 2.0 held on November 14, 2025, at Manekshaw Centre, emphasized the vital role of Defence Research & Development and the contributions of PSUs, private sector, and MSMEs in strengthening India’s defence capabilities. The event, themed “Atmanirbharta in Defence,” focused on future warfare technologies including autonomous systems and ammunition, highlighting the importance of transparent supplier timelines as Chauhan criticized delays in defence manufacturing. He stressed the need for a strong defence industrial base to ensure national security and operational readiness amid evolving warfare scenarios, citing Operation Sindoor as a prime example of effectively integrating advanced indigenous technologies. The session aimed to identify capability gaps and drive strategies to boost India’s leadership in advanced warfare domains, thereby supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and enhancing the competitiveness of the Indian defence ecosystem domestically and internationally.