New Delhi, Feb 28: Warfare is rapidly evolving, becoming more networked, digitized, and intelligent, with technology playing a decisive role in future combat scenarios, said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday.
Speaking at the Chanakya Dialogues conclave on the theme "Bharat 2047: Atmanirbhar in War", General Chauhan emphasized the shift towards data-centric warfare, where network security, data redundancy, latency management, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics would be crucial in military operations.
Rise of AI and Robotics in Warfare
General Chauhan highlighted the increasing role of robotics and automation, noting that future conflicts could involve combat between humans and machines or even machine-versus-machine warfare."Technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and supercomputing will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of battles," he stated. He further stressed that the Indian Armed Forces are actively working towards transitioning into an "intelligentized warfare" model, integrating advanced technologies for operational superiority.
Theater Commands for Multi-Domain Operations
Discussing Theater Commands, General Chauhan explained that the new structure aims to separate force generation from force application. Until now, both these functions were handled by service headquarters and the respective service chiefs."We are nominating a theatre commander who would be capable of conducting multi-domain operations across land, air, and sea, with additional support from space and cyber capabilities," he elaborated.
Unlike other nations that have taken decades to implement theater commands, India is adopting a bottom-up approach, which is making the transition faster, he noted.
Data Analytics and Future Combat Strategies
General Chauhan also underlined how data analytics will enhance decision-making in combat, allowing for faster and more effective responses in the battlefield.With rapid advancements in drone technology, he predicted that the speed of warfare will increase, making it more complex. The challenges of identifying and targeting threats will grow as weapon platforms evolve, spanning small and large cross-section drones, and hypersonic weapons moving at Mach 4 or Mach 5 speeds.
"These platforms can be routed intelligently, and since they are often undetectable and inaudible, targeting them is rather difficult," he cautioned.
As India moves towards self-reliance in defense technology, the focus remains on leveraging AI, cyber capabilities, and automation to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare.
