‘Be truthful, patriotic, and deliver on time’, CDS Gen. Chauhan tells defence industry

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday (November 14, 2025) urged India’s defence manufacturers to pair patriotism with profit, stressing that delays, overpromising, and inflated costs undermine national security.

Speaking at a seminar at the United Service Institution (USI), he said the armed forces expect “a bit of nationalism and patriotism” in industry efforts, especially when critical capabilities are dependent on timely delivery.

Warning against exaggerated claims of indigenisation, Gen. Chauhan said that companies must present honest assessments of their capabilities. “You cannot leave us in a lurch. If you sign a contract and don’t deliver on time, it is a capability lost,” he said, noting instances where firms had “over-promised and failed to deliver.”

‘No runner-ups in war’

He also emphasised cost competitiveness, not just for domestic orders but to ensure India’s defence products can succeed globally.

Touching on the changing nature of warfare, the CDS said that uncertainty defines conflict, making preparation, foresight, and accurate equipping essential. “There are no runner-ups in war,” he said.

Gen. Chauhan also reflected on how the very basis of military strategy has evolved. Earlier, he said, strategy was largely dictated by geography; in ancient and medieval wars, it was the commanders who mastered terrain who ultimately shaped the course of battles.