Defence Minister Rajnath stresses element of surprise in warfare
Given the fast-changing nature of warfare, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday underscored the need for cultivating the element of surprise and sustained focus on research.
He also emphasised the need to adopt a proactive approach and build capabilities that enable the country, should the need arise, to launch an unexpected strike against its adversary.
“History bears witness that in warfare, the decisive edge invariably belongs to the side that possesses the element of surprise. While our defence forces are already working in that direction, we must make further progress with greater proactivity,” the defence minister said.
Rajnath Singh made these assertions in his address to defence personnel, industry captains, innovators, start-ups and academia representatives during the inaugural session of the three-day North Tech Symposium, organised by the Indian Army’s Northern and Central Commands and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Highlighting the explosive rate of technological change being witnessed in modern-day warfare, he said, “In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the nature of warfare transformed from tanks and missiles to game-changer drones and sensors within a span of merely three or four years.
Furthermore, things which are part of day-to-day life are turning into deadly weapons. The pager attacks in Lebanon and Syria have prompted a reassessment of modern warfare methods. In such a situation, we need to be prepared.”
Underlining the importance of ensuring adaptability in the present complex and rapidly evolving environment, the defence minister stressed that the nation that, most swiftly, adapts to the technological revolution holds the decisive edge in the future warfare landscape.
He added that there’s no substitute for research in today’s world, and the manner in which future wars will be fought is being determined within the laboratories today.
Rajnath Singh emphasised that the government has placed defence research at the center of its priorities, and has endeavored to take it to the next level through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
He stated that the DRDO has initiated a policy granting Indian industries free access to its patents, a move that will bolster both their technological capabilities and global competitiveness.
The defence minister stressed that the industries must step forward and excel in areas such as Directed Energy Weapons, Hypersonic Weapons, Underwater Domain Awareness, Space Situational Awareness, Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Rajnath Singh appreciated the defence forces and the industry for thoroughly analysing the evolving circumstances, and ensuring India’s preparedness, describing Operation Sindoor as a prime example of technological warfare and the nation’s readiness.
In his address, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta stated that the symposium provides a unique platform to the defence forces, Industry, start-ups, innovators, and academia to develop indigenous technological solutions aimed at addressing critical operational challenges.
GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma emphasised that the objective of the symposium is to transform ideas, innovation, and experience into deployable capabilities.
As part of the symposium, an exhibition, showcasing indigenous solutions from an array of participants, including MSMEs, private Defence Tech firms, start-ups and innovators in uniform, was organised. Two-hundred and eighty-four (284) companies have set-up stalls to demonstrate their latest innovations and technologies.
