India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, emphasized the significance of predictive and open-source analysis in modern warfare during the Delhi Defence Dialogue, particularly in the context of Operation Sindoor and its forthcoming phase, Sindoor 2.0. He highlighted the lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, describing it as a “living lab” that provides critical insights into contemporary battlefield dynamics, such as the role of drones, electronic warfare, and precision strikes exceeding 100 kilometers. General Dwivedi outlined three key trends shaping future warfare: democratization of technology, diffusion of systems, and demographic changes, underscoring India’s unique strategic environment where land remains pivotal for victory. Additionally, he announced advancements in indigenous technology, including the Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version (SAMBHAV) and AI integration in operational command tools, which are critical in transitioning the Army towards a human-centric approach aligned with Industry 5.0. This evolution aims to enhance the Army’s capabilities while preserving the essential human element in decision-making and operational effectiveness.