At a seminar cum book release ceremony in New Delhi, a call was given by strategic thinkers and policy makers for reforms in multiple facets that affect the capabilities of armed forces in the modern battlefield. The changes in policy, especially in the realm of procurement, are the need of the hour. The use of new-age technology in conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia is practically rewriting how conflicts will be fought from now on.
Reforms are essential in multiple domains of the military. These include the capability to mentally adapt to changes, adopt new methodologies of functioning, be more flexible in thinking, and attitudinal nuances. Ostensibly, most major manufacturers of defence platforms are also the world’s top powers. The Ukraine war is an example also of how one needs to be a major defence manufacturer to be able to withstand the demands of a protracted war.
The Indian Armed Forces must keep abreast with the changes, and the ever-evolving contours of modern warfare. The need of the hour is to ensure that the evaluation and procurement process be overhauled and made more efficient. The lengthy, bureaucratic processes can take anywhere from six to eight years to induct a particular system in the armed forces. This has a negative impact on our armed forces, especially when technology is leapfrogging ahead and what may be state of the art today may become obsolete by the time it is inducted.
The need for the forces to work closely with the Indian start-ups during the development phase was emphasised by various speakers. Start-ups are playing a substantial role in keeping the country abreast by developing multiple emerging technologies, such as drone warfare, space-based technology, and cyber warfare, among others.
The conflict in Ukraine has brought to fore the importance of drones in warfare. Drones have played crucial roles in this conflict, ranging from surveillance to being used as strategic weapons, such as cruise missiles (targeting Russian energy facilities and airbases) far away from the frontline.
The Ukrainian conflict has also shown the importance of continuous space-based surveillance. Indian start-ups are also working on technologies that provide space-based solutions to our armed forces.
Ongoing conflicts, as well as tariffs from the United States, have once again emphasise the importance of self-reliance in defence. All stakeholders have to reform to ensure that ensure a faster evaluation and procurement cycle for the services. India has started walking the talk. However, as one of the speakers pointed out, time is not on our side.
Team BharatShakti
