NEW DELHI: The Indian armed forces and defence industry must be prepared for all kinds of security challenges from short-duration battles to even a five-year war amid the current unpredictable geopolitical situation, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, citing examples from Operation Sindoor and the long-drawn Russia-Ukraine war.“India has never been a nation that seeks war. We have never initiated aggression against anyone. However, the present geopolitical reality is quite different. Even though we do not harbour any aggressive intent, if someone challenges us, it becomes imperative that we respond with strength. We do not want anybody’s land but we are ready to go to any extent to protect our land,” Singh said, speaking at the ‘Ran Samwad’ conclave at Mhow. The armed forces and defence industry must remain ready for new innovations. tnnSingh: We must be ready for unforeseen challenges The armed forces and defence industry must remain ready for unforeseen challenges while mastering existing technologies to stay ahead of the curve to effectively tackle complexities of modern-day warfare that now extends to space and cyberspace, defence minister Rajnath Singh said.Describing Operation Sindoor as a “striking demonstration” of technology-driven warfare and “a great example demonstrating the success” of indigenous weapons, Singh said, “Our endeavour must be to define the battlefield and the rules of the game ourselves, compelling the adversary to fight there, so that the lead advantage always remains with us.”The sheer numbers of soldiers or the size of weapon stockpiles are no longer enough because cyberwarfare, artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite-based surveillance and real-time intelligence are shaping wars of the future. “Technology is advancing at such a pace that by the time we fully grasp one innovation, another emerges to completely alter the course of warfare,” he further said.With it also becoming difficult to predict how long a war will last, Singh said it is crucial to continuing strengthening the domestic defence industry. “If any war stretches for two months, four months, a year, two years, even five years, then we should be fully prepared. We must ensure our surge capacity is sufficient…We have indeed made significant progressbut there is still a long way ahead,” he said. “What we require today is not just defensive preparedness but also a proactive strategy. Future wars will not merely be battles of weapons; they will be a play of technology, intelligence, economy and diplomacy. The nation that masters the triangle of technology, strategy and adaptability will emerge as the true global power,” he added.