Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called on the Indian Armed Forces to remain future-ready and operate jointly in an era where warfare is increasingly defined by emerging domains such as cyber, space, and information operations.
Addressing officers from India and 26 friendly foreign countries at the Convocation Ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu, Singh underscored the need to adapt to a rapidly changing global security landscape. “The Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today’s ever-evolving multi-domain environment, where cyber, space, and information warfare are as potent as conventional operations,” he said.
Singh identified three major shifts shaping global geopolitics — a renewed emphasis on national security, the sweeping impact of a “technological tsunami,” and a surge in innovation. He urged officers to grasp these trends deeply, asserting that the Modi government is committed to transforming the Indian military into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of integrated multi-domain operations.
Highlighting how Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the battlefield, Singh described the influence of innovation in modern combat as “breathtaking.” Citing lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he said drones have emerged as a decisive force, responsible for the majority of losses in personnel and equipment — more so than traditional artillery or armour.
“Similarly, space-based capabilities in Low Earth Orbit are revolutionising military intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and communications, taking combat effectiveness to new heights,” he noted.
The Defence Minister also stressed the growing prominence of hybrid and grey-zone warfare, where tools like cyber-attacks, disinformation, and economic coercion can achieve strategic goals without kinetic force. He pointed to India’s own security environment, marked by persistent border threats and the challenge of terrorism and proxy war from its neighbourhood.
Reiterating the government’s push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), Singh said ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe underline the strategic necessity of building a resilient, indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. “Developing low-cost, high-tech solutions and enhancing the fighting capability of our forces is not optional—it’s imperative,” he said.
To prepare for future challenges, Singh urged officers to embrace five key attributes — Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility, and being Ambassadors of change. “Tomorrow’s battlefield will require leaders who are flexible, tech-savvy, and innovative. You must not only keep pace with technological change — you must lead it,” he said.
In today’s dynamic #security landscape, where #cyber, #space & #AI are reshaping #warfare, our #ArmedForces must stay joint, agile & tech-driven. At DSSC Convocation, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh stressed future-readiness, self-reliance, & embracing hybrid warfare to secure a… pic.twitter.com/ys6l78pBCn
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) April 10, 2025
This year’s staff course includes 479 officers, among them 38 participants from 26 friendly foreign nations and three women officers. Established in 1948, DSSC is a premier tri-service institution that prepares mid-career officers for higher command and staff responsibilities. To date, over 19,000 Indian and 2,000 international officers have graduated from the institution — many of whom have gone on to occupy senior leadership roles as heads of state and military forces worldwide.
Team BharatShakti
