NEW DELHI: Military leaders must think critically, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and leverage latest technological advancements to gain a strategic advantage in today’s ever-evolving geopolitical landscape, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.
Present-day warfare has surpassed traditional battlefields and now operates in a multi-domain environment, where cyber, space and information warfare are as critical as conventional operations, Singh said, addressing the convocation ceremony of the National Defence College (NDC) here.
Cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and economic warfare have become tools that can destabilise an entire nation without a single shot being fired. “There is a need for military leaders to possess the ability to analyse complex problems and devise innovative solutions,” he said.
“From drones and autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the technologies shaping modern warfare are evolving at a breath-taking pace. Our officers must understand these technologies and be able to harness them,” the minister said.
He also urged the officers to have a firm grasp of geopolitics, international relations and the complexities of global security alliances, as the decisions made by them can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the battlefield and into the realm of diplomacy, economics and international law, urging senior officers to become “strategic thinkers” who can anticipate future conflicts and understand global political dynamics.
Govt, on its part, is determined to develop a technologically-advanced and agile military, capable of responding to emerging threats and safeguarding national security, the minister said.
“Institutions like the NDC must evolve their course curriculum to not only incorporate case studies on such unconventional warfare but also to drive strategic innovations,” Singh said. tnn
