North News
New Delhi, December 30
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing integration and jointness among the three branches of the Armed Forces, expressing confidence that they will be better equipped to tackle future challenges efficiently. Speaking at the Army War College (AWC) in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, he emphasized the critical role of military training centres in preparing soldiers for the evolving nature of warfare.
Addressing the officers, Rajnath Singh highlighted the growing complexity of modern warfare, citing unconventional methods such as information warfare, AI-driven tactics, proxy warfare, and cyberattacks. He stressed the need for the military to remain adaptive and well-trained to handle these emerging threats, lauding Mhow’s training centres for their contributions.
The Defence Minister further praised the government’s vision of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, positioning India as a rising manufacturing hub with modern weaponry. He also acknowledged India’s impressive defence export growth, noting that exports have surged from Rs 2,000 crores a decade ago to Rs 21,000 crores today, with a target of Rs 50,000 crores by 2029.
The Defence Minister called for greater integration through training across various military domains, including weapons training, AI, and communication technology, and leadership development. He also spoke about the future role of officers as Defence Attaches, urging them to champion India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) vision globally.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve to position India as a powerful economic and military force by 2047, Singh emphasized the interdependence of security and economic prosperity, stating that a robust economy is key to national security and vice versa. He encouraged officers to embrace the values of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, integrating his ideals into their service.
The Defence Minister also paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Infantry Memorial and was briefed on the AWC’s role in military training, including its initiatives to integrate technology, multi-domain operations, and international collaborations. He visited several key facilities in Mhow, including the Quantum Technology and AI labs, marking the steps taken to prepare the military for adaptive warfare.
