Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, in his address at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington on Monday, underscored the importance of the force’s role in remaining ever-ready for ‘black swan’ events and ‘expecting the unexpected’. He highlighted technology as the emerging arena for strategic competition among nations, emphasising the force’s crucial role in this landscape. Gen Pande pointed out the weaponisation of technology, particularly its pervasive influence across diverse domains ranging from information to supply chains, and how the force’s readiness is key in navigating this terrain.
In his address, Gen Pande emphasised the shared responsibility of the three services in effectively assessing threats, articulating strategies, identifying capabilities, formulating policies, achieving preparedness, and responding appropriately within the national security framework. He highlighted the importance of cross-functional synergy, stressing that it is through the collective efforts of the three services that the force can effectively navigate the evolving strategic landscape.
During his speech, the Army Chief discussed the geo-strategic landscape and emerging trends, emphasising the rapid pace at which it’s changing. He mentioned that this unprecedented change is leading to the emergence of new trend lines, which are reshaping conventional combat force ratios due to the impact of disruptive technologies.
According to sources in the Army headquarters, Gen Pande delved into expanding warfare into new domains, including space, cyber, the electromagnetic spectrum, and information technology. He highlighted the swift advancement in kinetic war instruments, emphasising how it has rendered battlefields more intricate, contested, and lethal.
Emphasising India’s emergence on the global platform, Gen Pande underscored the increasing importance of protecting India’s national interests across broadening strategic landscapes. The Army Chief advocated for maintaining a strategic equilibrium, but more importantly, he emphasised India’s imperative to be strong and self-reliant in defence capabilities. This emphasis on self-reliance aims to instil a sense of pride and determination in the audience.
Gen Pande also shed light on the Indian Army’s ongoing transformative initiatives, particularly emphasising the “Year of Tech Absorption” in 2024. He highlighted that the key areas of focus in the ongoing process of Tech Absorption include:
- Aligning and synergising technology at Strategic, Operational, and Tactical levels within existing systems.
- Mapping futuristic and emerging technologies as drivers of military technology.
- Strengthening the Defence Technology Ecosystem to maintain a lead in the military technology curve.
- Ensuring that Acquisition & Procurement facilitates the seamless induction of technology.
- Fostering Techno Warriors & Commanders.
Gen Pande was addressing the faculty and officers of the 79th Staff Course, including 36 officers from friendly foreign nations. His address covered critical topics such as national security, the geostrategic landscape and emerging trends, and the Indian Army’s transformational initiatives.
Ravi Shankar
