In conversation with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General N.S. Raja Subramani

Strategic Insights’ Founder and Editor met with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General N.S. Raja Subramani.

India’s new CDS is not merely regarded as a proven battlefield commander but also as a huge proponent of indigenous military technologies.

Importantly, he combines operational experience with academic and doctrinal depth — a quality increasingly essential for modern military leadership. His appointment is expected to further accelerate India’s push toward defence indigenisation.
What makes this appointment historic is that the illustrious, Garhwal Rifles — among the Indian Army’s oldest and most decorated Infantry regiments — will, for the first time in its 139-year history, produce a four-star officer at the apex of India’s military establishment. Carved out from the Gorkha regiments during the colonial era, the Garhwal Rifles has built a legacy of courage, sacrifice and battlefield distinction across wars and operations.

The symbolism becomes even more profound when viewed against the legacy of the Gorkha Rifles, which produced legendary military leaders including Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, General Dalbir Singh Suhag and General Bipin Rawat — India’s first CDS.

Under General Subramani’s leadership, expectations will naturally rise for stronger military reforms, integrated theatre commands, jointness among the three services and greater synergy between the armed forces, defence industry and technological innovation sectors. His deep operational experience and strategic outlook place him in a unique position to shape the next phase of India’s defence transformation.

For many within India’s strategic and defence community, his elevation inspires confidence that policy deliberations, technological advancement and indigenous capability-building will receive renewed momentum.
However, Tasks are not easy either; some of the lingering issues, big platforms and complex military systems which include advanced tech from missing jet engine, propulsion systems, depleting combat jets to light tanks, and lethal indigenous UAVs among many critical elements of new & emerging warfare.