Shirdi (Maharashtra) [India], May 23 (ANI): Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday said that Shirdi, widely known as a centre of faith and spirituality, will now also emerge as a hub of defence manufacturing, technological innovation, and national security with the inauguration of the NIBE Shirdi Defence Manufacturing Complex.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, General Chauhan said the facility represents a significant step towards India's mission of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.

'The city of Shirdi is known across the country for faith and spirituality. But from today onwards, this city will also be known as a hub of defence manufacturing, industrial growth, technological innovation, and national security. This is truly a wonderful confluence of faith and future technology,' the CDS said.

He stressed that modern warfare is rapidly evolving and is no longer dependent solely on manpower and conventional intelligence. 'Artificial Intelligence, robotics, cyber systems, drones, autonomous platforms, space technologies, precision strike weapons, and information dominance are giving a decisive shape to the battlefield of the future,' he said.

According to Chauhan, future conflicts will be 'multi-domain' in nature, involving coordinated operations across land, sea, air, cyber, space, and cognitive warfare domains. 'The battlefield of today will no longer be limited to a geographical space, but information networks, digital ecosystems, cyber infrastructure, and data environments will also become part of this battle space,' he added.

Highlighting India's progress in defence production, the CDS said domestic defence manufacturing has reached a record level of nearly Rs 1.27 lakh crore, while defence exports have crossed Rs 38,000 crore, with Indian defence products now reaching over 100 countries. He described Nibe Limited as 'an excellent example' of the growing confidence in India's private defence sector, citing its work in missile systems, ammunition, autonomous platforms, and emerging technologies.

General Chauhan also urged engineering students and young innovators to contribute towards building a 'Viksit Bharat.' 'The future belongs to those who create change. You are the power of India. You are the architects of Viksit Bharat,' he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present at the inauguration ceremony of the Nibe Defence Production Complex in Shirdi. (ANI)