‘Adaptive Defence’ not just a strategic choice but a necessity: Rajnath Singh
| 2024-11-12
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on November 12, 2024.
Traditional notions of war are being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships, says the Defence Minister
Arguing that security threats to the country have evolved over time, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has described ‘Adaptive Defence’ as not merely a strategic choice but a necessity. “As the threats to our nation have evolved, so too must our defence systems and strategies. We should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future,” he stated on November 12, 2024
Defence Minister Singh was addressing the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), on the theme ‘Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare’ in New Delhi.
‘Military and Defence Mechanisms Need to Evolve Continuously’
Defence Minister Singh said ‘Adaptive Defence’ was a strategic approach where a nation’s military and defence mechanisms continuously evolve to counter emerging threats effectively.
“‘Adaptive Defence’ is not merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively. In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate & thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances. Situational awareness, flexibility at strategic and tactical levels, resilience, agility, and integration with the futuristic technologies are the keys to understand and create adaptive defence. It must be the mantra of our strategic formulations and operational responses,” he pointed out.
According to the Defence Minister, traditional notions of war were being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships, with new perspectives, doctrines and concepts of operations emerging within the Armed Forces in keeping with the changing nature of threats & challenges. Continuous adaptation was the best strategy to deal with the emerging challenges, he remarked.
The diverse range of security challenges faced by India ranged from the traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare, Singh said. He asserted that the Government recognised the need for an adaptive defence strategy in a changing geopolitical & technological scenario, and has taken several initiatives to build a robust & self-reliant ecosystem.
India Aiming to Become Drone Hub of the World
During his address, Defence Minister Singh also highlighted other issues of concern like psychological warfare and how the advances in drone and swarm technologies were bringing fundamental changes in the ways and means of warfare.
“India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world. Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. This would not only help the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to our Make in India and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. We are already working to improve Research & Development through reliable certification mechanisms, and facilitate Indian Intellectual Property creation in this sector. Additionally, we have also introduced rewards for innovation through the schemes of iDEX and ADITI,” he said.
In the present age of digitisation and information overload, the world was facing an unprecedented scale of psychological warfare, he stated, adding that the Government is determined to employ adaptive defence strategies to counter the menace of information warfare against national security.
Defence Minister Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep India among the leading countries working on emerging technologies in cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence (AI). A country of the size and potential of India has to have the capability and wherewithal to deal with the imminent global innovations of AI in defence, he said.
Defence Minister Singh was addressing the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), on the theme ‘Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare’ in New Delhi.
‘Military and Defence Mechanisms Need to Evolve Continuously’
Defence Minister Singh said ‘Adaptive Defence’ was a strategic approach where a nation’s military and defence mechanisms continuously evolve to counter emerging threats effectively.
“‘Adaptive Defence’ is not merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively. In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate & thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances. Situational awareness, flexibility at strategic and tactical levels, resilience, agility, and integration with the futuristic technologies are the keys to understand and create adaptive defence. It must be the mantra of our strategic formulations and operational responses,” he pointed out.
According to the Defence Minister, traditional notions of war were being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships, with new perspectives, doctrines and concepts of operations emerging within the Armed Forces in keeping with the changing nature of threats & challenges. Continuous adaptation was the best strategy to deal with the emerging challenges, he remarked.
The diverse range of security challenges faced by India ranged from the traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare, Singh said. He asserted that the Government recognised the need for an adaptive defence strategy in a changing geopolitical & technological scenario, and has taken several initiatives to build a robust & self-reliant ecosystem.
India Aiming to Become Drone Hub of the World
During his address, Defence Minister Singh also highlighted other issues of concern like psychological warfare and how the advances in drone and swarm technologies were bringing fundamental changes in the ways and means of warfare.
“India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world. Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. This would not only help the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to our Make in India and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. We are already working to improve Research & Development through reliable certification mechanisms, and facilitate Indian Intellectual Property creation in this sector. Additionally, we have also introduced rewards for innovation through the schemes of iDEX and ADITI,” he said.
In the present age of digitisation and information overload, the world was facing an unprecedented scale of psychological warfare, he stated, adding that the Government is determined to employ adaptive defence strategies to counter the menace of information warfare against national security.
Defence Minister Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep India among the leading countries working on emerging technologies in cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence (AI). A country of the size and potential of India has to have the capability and wherewithal to deal with the imminent global innovations of AI in defence, he said.
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