At IAF commanders' meet, Rajnath calls for sharper surveillance, 'element of surprise'

New Delhi Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (November 12, 2026) urged the military to strengthen both the offensive and defensive aspects of the "element of surprise" to maintain combat readiness against conventional and emerging threats posed by the evolving nature of modern warfare. In an address at the Air Force Commanders' Conference, he emphasised the need to continue bolstering intelligence and surveillance capabilities and identify potential threats before they unfold. The Defence Minister added that a rapidly shifting security environment demands continuous adaptation and a forward-looking approach to military preparedness.

"Our defence forces must develop capabilities and methods that leave the adversary with no time to react or recover, while simultaneously ensuring that we are never caught off guard by an unexpected move from the enemy," he said. Mr. Singh asserted that contemporary conflicts are extending beyond traditional battlefields into non-contact domains.

"Surprise can manifest in various forms, both conventional and electronic.