India Must Be Ready for Modern Wars and Hidden Threats, Says Defence Minister

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the Indian armed forces to prepare not just for traditional wars but also for new and less visible dangers. These include threats like information warfare, ideological influence, climate-related risks, and biological attacks.

Speaking on Tuesday, Singh said modern warfare is changing fast, and it’s hard to predict when or how long a war might last. "It could go on for two months, a year, or even five years," he said. “We must always be ready and make sure our defence capacity can handle any situation.”

He stressed the importance of having a military that keeps up with technology, especially in light of recent conflicts around the world that show how critical advanced systems and quick responses are today.

The Defence Minister also shared an update on Mission Sudarshan Chakra (MSC)—a major national project announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15. The goal of MSC is to create a strong air and missile defence shield for key military and civilian areas across India by 2035.

To support this mission, a special committee has been formed to create a clear action plan.

As part of the plan, India will start testing new interceptor missiles next year. These are being developed under Project Kusha by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile system will include:

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  M1 with a range of 150 km

  
  


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  M2 with a range of 250 km

  
  


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  M3 with a range of 350 km

  
  

All systems are expected to be ready by 2030.

Singh urged top military leaders to take a forward-looking approach and help build the Sudarshan Chakra. He asked them to create both a five-year and a ten-year plan to bring the Prime Minister’s vision to life.

"Be proactive. The future of national security depends on how well we plan today," he said.