From net-centric to intelligent warfare: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan calls for shift to ‘All Realm All Domain Operations’

New Delhi, February 25. Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan has called for a transformative shift in India’s military doctrine, urging the armed forces to move from net-centric operations to “intelligent warfare” and evolve beyond Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) to what he described as “All Realm All Domain Operations (ARADO)”.

Addressing the annual seminar at the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad on February 24, Gen Chauhan said the nature of warfare is rapidly expanding beyond traditional battlefields.

“As warfare expands from the physical to the synthetic and cognitive realms, the Indian armed forces need to transition from net-centric operations toward intelligent warfare and move beyond multi-domain operations to all Realm all domain operations,” he emphasised.

Inaugurating the two-day seminar themed ‘Multi-Domain Integrated Technologically-Empowered Resilient Armed Forces (MITRA)’, the CDS highlighted what he termed the “Third Revolution in Military Affairs.”

He described it as an era of “convergence warfare” that integrates contact and non-contact forms of combat, blends kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, and merges old and emerging domains across every level of conflict.

Gen Chauhan also underscored the importance of developing credible non-nuclear strategic deterrence.

“We must ensure the ability to win at every level of escalation,” he said, stressing the need for preparedness across the full conflict spectrum.

The seminar, hosted by the College of Defence Management on February 24-25, was organised in partnership with the Indian School of Business as the knowledge partner. This year’s theme, MITRA, reflects the changing character of warfare in an increasingly complex geopolitical and technological environment.

The event aimed to align lessons from contemporary conflicts with India’s unique operational requirements, with a focus on self-reliance and structural reforms. The objective is to develop armed forces that are multi-domain in vision, integrated in action, technology-empowered in execution, and resilient in purpose.

The seminar brought together senior defence officials, scholars, industry representatives and practitioners to deliberate on building comprehensive national power under the MITRA framework. Discussions centred on strengthening administrative and management capacities to handle future contestations and reinforce India’s resilience.

Established in December 1970, the College of Defence Management is a premier tri-service institution focused on equipping military leaders with modern management concepts and best practices. Over the decades, its annual seminars have addressed key themes including strategic challenges, self-reliance, geopolitical shifts and leadership transformation, reinforcing its role in shaping India’s military preparedness for the future.