Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has said the Air Force use would’ve slowed Chinese offensive in 1962 war. According to him, India had the capability, but leaders avoided deploying air power, fearing escalation. He argued that such hesitation weakened India’s position during the conflict. In contrast, Operation Sindoor shows that air power today strengthens deterrence and provides clear advantages.
Reflecting on the 1962 Sino-Indian war, General Chauhan stressed the need for region-specific strategies. He said the government’s forward policy applied the same approach to Ladakh and NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh). This was a mistake. The two regions had completely different terrain and dispute histories. Applying a single strategy across both, he explained, created unnecessary vulnerabilities.
The CDS highlighted that warfare has transformed since 1962. Modern conflicts are not limited to land battles. They now include cyber, space, drones, and precision technologies. India, he said, must adapt to these realities and prepare for multi-domain operations. He pointed to Operation Sindoor as proof that India can act decisively with advanced tools and a joint approach.
General Chauhan said India must draw lessons from the past to strengthen future defence planning. He noted that strategic hesitation in 1962 cost India heavily. Air power should not be seen as escalatory anymore. Instead, it should be a key instrument of deterrence and response.
The CDS concluded that India’s armed forces must remain flexible, region-specific, and technology-driven. A decisive approach, he said, will ensure that India never repeats the errors of the past and remains prepared for all security challenges.
