Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (October 19, 2024) called on India’s military leaders to think critically to gain “strategic advantage” in today’s changing geopolitical landscape, saying there is a need to Be prepared for what may happen.
“From drones and autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the technologies shaping modern warfare are advancing at an alarming rate. Our officers must understand these technologies and be able to exploit them,” said a graduate of the National Defense College (NDC) said during the ceremony.
Singh urged military officers to become strategic thinkers who can “anticipate future conflicts,” understand global political dynamics and lead with wisdom and empathy.
The defense secretary urged officers to have a firm grasp of the complexities of geopolitics, international relations and global security alliances, as the decisions they make could have “far-reaching consequences beyond the battlefield” and into diplomacy, economics and international law.
He called on them to think critically, adapt to unforeseen circumstances and take advantage of the latest technological advances to “gain strategic advantage in today’s ever-changing geopolitical landscape,” the Defense Department said in a statement.
Singh stressed the need to be prepared for “the possibility of adversaries weaponizing tools and technologies that people use every day.”
“Just the thought that our adversaries are leveraging these tools is enough to remind us of the urgency with which we must prepare for these threats. Institutions like the National Data Center must improve their curricula to include more than just examples of this type of unconventional warfare research, but also to promote strategic innovation,” he said.
The Defense Secretary said that “our ability to anticipate, adapt and respond will determine our readiness” in the face of evolving challenges.
He emphasized that today’s wars have “beyond the traditional battlefield” and are conducted in a multi-domain environment. Network, space and information warfare are as “critical” as conventional warfare.
“Cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and economic warfare have become tools that can destabilize entire countries without firing a shot. Military leaders need the ability to analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions,” he said.
Speaking at Friday’s event, Singh said technology had “transformed” conventional warfare into unconventional warfare and that employing “unconventional thinking” not yet known to the world was the only way to make progress in navigation. .
Speaking at the Master of Philosophy graduation ceremony of the 62nd NDC course (2022), he described the rapid technological advancement of the current era as “the most critical force” driving the development of a future-oriented army.
The minister urged defense officials to conduct in-depth analysis of how best to exploit niche technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) that have the potential to revolutionize military operations.
He also stressed the need to determine “threshold levels that allow decisions to be made by artificial intelligence,” underscoring the importance of human intervention, the statement said.
Increasing reliance on artificial intelligence in decision-making could raise concerns about accountability and “the potential for unintended consequences,” he said.
On the ethical dilemma facing military leaders, namely the extent to which machines should go to make “life and death decisions,” Mr. Singer said academic study in ethics, philosophy and military history would provide officers with the tools to deal with sensitive issues. Make informed decisions.
He highlighted the critical role played by defense academic institutions such as the National Defense Council in instilling in future leaders an “ethical framework” to deal with the challenges of today’s war.
Singh also spoke of the government’s determination to develop a technologically advanced and flexible military that can deal with emerging threats and maintain national security.
“While we are working hard to ensure that the Armed Forces remain future-ready and resilient, defense agencies like the National Defense Council play a role in shaping the perspective of military leaders and providing them with the expertise they need to deal with modern complexities,” he said. key role.
The minister said courses at academic institutions must “remain dynamic and adaptable” to ensure their relevance to practitioners in the field.
Singh described modern warfare, moral dilemmas and the challenges of strategic leadership as not only topics worthy of reflection but also “foundational” for India’s national security future.
Stressing that learning must be an ongoing process and not limited to the duration of the course, Singh suggested the introduction of online short-term modules on key topics to expand the scope and impact of NDC.
“This will enable more officers, regardless of geographical location or time constraints, to benefit from the knowledge and expertise provided by such a prestigious institution,” he said.
The Defense Secretary termed NDC’s extensive and well-established alumni network as an untapped resource that could play a key role in this initiative.
Singh congratulated the officers of the 62nd NDC course who have obtained master’s degrees, especially those from friendly countries. He termed them as bridges between India and their respective countries.
The Defense Minister added that the challenges and concerns shared during the course will pave the way for strengthening collective security and prosperity in the region.
Defense Minister-designate R.K. faculty attended the event.
Published – October 20, 2024 at 05:10 AM (IST)
