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India's Operation Sindoor highlighted how critical role drones play in modern warfare, alongside space and cyberspace, which will shape the new paradigm of future military conflicts, according to a former Director General of Military Operations who headed the Doklam crisis.

 

Speaking during an interview with PTI, retired Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt also expressed his displeasure at suggestions on social media by many warmongers who were unhappy with the conflict ending in four days because they believed it was an opportunity to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

 

Before getting into the insights of the interview, let us briefly understand the responsibilities and work of a DGMO.

 

DGMO reports directly to the army chief (COAS) and is intimately involved in shaping strategies to deal with immediate and long-term security challenges, besides coordinating with the other two services as well as civilian and paramilitary security forces. In times of crisis and escalated tensions, it falls on the DGMO to communicate with his opposite number. Currently, the DGMO is Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.

 

In 2017, when India was locked in a 73-day military standoff with China in the Doklam tri-junction near the Sikkim sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Bhatt was the DGMO.

 

As DGMO, Bhatt was one of the most senior military officers in the hierarchy, in charge of ensuring that the armed forces were operationally ready at all times. Bhatt has served for 38 years in the Indian Army and now he is the director general of the Indian Space Association, the industry body of the space sector, guiding the growth of the private space technology sector in the country after retirement in June 2020. 

 

War should be the last resort & we had our options this time: Bhatt

 

War should be the last option on the cards and should not be waged since India had achieved its strategic aims.

 

"Let me tell you, a war or taking back Pak-occupied Kashmir, should be a war of choice, taken by a decision. That is not what was planned this time. Yes, the Indian military was prepared for it, if the escalating ladder took you there."

 

"So what I would tell all my fellow countrymen is, war is a serious business. A very, very serious business. And a nation goes for it when all possible options are over. We had options less than war (during the current crisis) and gave a sense to it," said Bhatt. 

 

UAVs created an entirely new paradigm in warfare:

 

On being asked about the role played by the drones in the recent India-Pakistan conflict, he said that the unmanned aerial vehicles have created an entirely new paradigm in warfare and the militaries of the world began focussing on it when they achieved spectacular success for Azerbaijan in winning a nearly lost war against a well-armed Armenia. 

 

The drones were Turkish-made. Turkey also supplied drones to Pakistan, which sent swarms of them over Indian air space for surveillance and sometimes lethal payloads.

 

He then agreed that relatively inexpensive drones costing as little as ₹2 lakh were able to destroy armoured tanks worth ₹20-30 crore in the two Azerbaijan-Armenia wars in 2017 and 2020. This made it clear that war theatres of the future will be dotted with drones.

 

To that there are two more new elements, Bhatt noted.

 

Also Read: Tactical wins, constant challenges mark India’s Maoist offensive

 

There are now new domains of war, says the former DGMO

 

“Previously, we used to say that wars are fought on land, sea, and in the air. But there are two new domains, very, very effective and important domains – space and cyberspace – that are now emerging,"

 

He then added that the space sector is critical to future warfare as satellites play an important role in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance, besides guiding missiles and aircraft to their desired targets.

 

"But in the future, every country will have to protect its assets in space and also know what are the adversaries’ assets in space," he said.

 

Bhatt said several countries have demonstrated anti-satellite weapons and were also developing suicidal satellites that go near an adversary’s satellites and destroy it.

VIDEO | In an exclusive interview with PTI CEO & Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi, Indian Space Association Director General Lt Gen (Retd) A K Bhatt, who also served as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during the Doklam standoff, explains about the role of DGMO.

"So,… pic.twitter.com/8dkP3e9EM5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 16, 2025

 

India plans for 52 satellites for space-based surveillance

 

He said India has nine or 10 military satellites for surveillance purposes and has plans to put in place a constellation of 52 satellites for space-based surveillance.

 

"These 52 satellites definitely will increase our capability. Today, our gap is filled by companies like Maxar, PlanetM among others. But we would obviously want our own satellites. Shutter control is very important," Bhatt said.

 

He said the Pahalgam attack was seen in strategic circles as an attempt by the Pakistan Army to stay relevant in their country after a series of setbacks, including the attack on the Pakistan corps commander residence in 2023 by supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan.

 

This is India's new redline with Pakistan, IWT abeyance turned out to be effective as well

 

Bhatt said India has drawn a new red line for dealing with Pakistan by warning them of a strong response to every act of terror on Indian soil.

 

"We have set a new normal – you cross the red line, we will hit back. Of course it will require us to be more prepared. But for Pakistan there is no other method," he said.

 

Bhatt said the keeping in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty has been a very effective method. Another method, he added, was for India to keep focusing on its growth story while keeping an eye on Pakistan’s activities.

 

"It's up to you. You put Pakistan on your front screen and drive your car. Or look at the economy and keep driving it. Keep them (Pakistan) in the rear view mirror, it will be enough. Don't distract yourself from what they are doing."

 

Bhatt recalled former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s observations on war.

 

"Prime Minister Vajpayee had mentioned once, it is very easy to start a war. But it is very difficult to terminate it. And that gave very much clarity. In war, the challenge is the ability to then stop a war. And secondly, do you achieve your war aims, and at what cost," he said in the interview.

 

The former army officer said this does not mean that a nation should not be prepared for war.

 

Also Read: Operation Sindoor: India raises engagement bar

 

If you are prepared for war, you prevent a war: Bhatt

 

“If you are prepared for war, you prevent a war. And with any adversary, be it on the north or on the west, we have to be prepared. And the preparation is to prevent a war,” Bhatt said.

 

Bhatt also referred to Israel, saying its name is often suggested as an example in India.

 

"Israel is in an asymmetric war with a country. There is no country. There is no army. There are no nuclear bombs on the other side. We have to realise we are dealing with an adversary which has a significant army. Not only that, it has a very strong backer," he said.