India’s armed forces ready for ‘Operation Sindoor 2.0’ if needed, says army chief General Upendra Dwivedi

India’s Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated on Saturday that the armed forces remain ready for a possible next phase of Operation Sindoor if the situation escalates, despite a temporary cessation of hostilities. The operation, launched in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, demonstrated India’s ability to execute a measured military response with precision targeting and integrated planning. Dwivedi highlighted the evolving nature of warfare, noting conflicts now extend beyond traditional domains into space, cyber, and cognitive warfare. He stressed the need for caution in troop deployments due to the transparent battlefield, where every movement is monitored. Information warfare and public trust were also emphasized as critical factors in future conflicts, with Dwivedi asserting that national unity and confidence in military leadership would determine victory. The Indian Army is advancing modernization under the 'Decade of Transformation' initiative, focusing on technology and youth-driven innovation. New formations like drone battalions, Divyastra batteries, and Shaktiman regiments are being established, with plans to equip every soldier with drone-operating capabilities. Training and simulators are already in place to prepare troops for these roles. Dwivedi also addressed the long-pending military theatre commands project, revealing that deliberations within the Chiefs of Staff Committee are complete and a report has been submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for review. The next phase involves networking and data-centric operations, where data will serve as a strategic asset to enhance decision-making speed and resilience. The Army Chief underscored the importance of integrated planning, real-time intelligence, and secure communications, lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor. He reiterated that the military’s transformation aims to create a future-ready force, with technology playing a pivotal role in maintaining operational superiority.