Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the importance of military leaders becoming strategic thinkers who are capable of anticipating future conflicts, understanding global political dynamics, and leading with both intelligence and empathy in today’s ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
Addressing the MPhil Convocation ceremony of 62nd National Defence College (NDC) course (2022 batch) in New Delhi, the defence minister asked the leaders to think critically, adapt to unforeseen circumstances and make use of the latest technological advancements to gain a strategic advantage.
“Warfare, today, has surpassed the traditional battlefields and now operates in a multi-domain environment where cyber, space and information warfare are as critical as conventional operations. Cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and economic warfare have become tools that can destabilise a whole 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,” Singh said.
From drones and autonomous vehicles to AI and Quantum Computing, the technologies shaping modern warfare are evolving at a breath-taking pace, the defence minister observed and asked the officers to understand technologies like AI which has the power to revolutionise military operations and harness them.
He cautioned them about the possibility of India's adversaries weaponising the tools and technologies used by people on a daily basis saying “The mere thought that our adversaries exploiting the tools serves as a reminder of the urgency with which we must prepare for these threats. Institutions like NDC must evolve their course curriculum to not only incorporate case studies on such unconventional warfare but also to drive strategic innovation. The ability to anticipate, adapt and respond will define our readiness in the face of ever-evolving challenges.”
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He 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.