Striking the Right Balance

In an interview with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP's Land Forces, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande charts the ongoing evolution of Indian Army with a balanced approach that combines platform-centric capabilities with technology-centric enhancements

- Jayant Baranwal

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): Under the process of ‘Modernisation & Technology Infusion’, is Indian Army transitioning from Platform centric to technology centric force? Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): Indian Army has embarked on several initiatives towards ‘Modernisation & Technology Infusion’. Major efforts are being made towards Upgrades, New Acquisitions & infusion of Niche technology. Our approach in this endeavour, firmly stands on the edifice of Atmanirbharta. The right balance between ‘Conventional’ and ‘New’ capabilities is being ensured in all the initiatives.

We have adopted a balanced approach that combines platform-centric capabilities with technology-centric enhancements. While traditional platforms like tanks, guns, missile systems remain crucial for deterrence and defence, integrating technology-centric capabilities can enhance effectiveness and provide a competitive edge in the evolving threat landscape.

Indian Army has been actively working to adopt niche and advanced technologies to enhance operational capabilities and modernise the forces. Adoption of niche technology is part of our broader effort to transform the Indian Army into a more agile, technologically advanced, and self-reliant force. We have co-opted Academia, Startups, MSMEs, R&D organisations in addition to the defence industry in accelerating technology development and absorption which has manifested in significant advances in the fields of Al, Quantum, Unmanned System, Robotics to name a few.