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India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian Army charts ambitious roadmap for modernisation, seeks industry partnership for next-gen warfare
New Delhi [India], 4 July (ANI): The Indian Army is embarking on a comprehensive modernisation drive to transform its capabilities across multiple domains, from hypersonic weapons to soldier systems, as it prepares for future warfare challenges, a senior military official announced at a defence industry conference. Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustenance of the Indian Army, outlined the service's ambitious vision during the New Age Military Technologies Industry Capabilities & Way Forward event, organised by FICCI, calling for unprecedented collaboration between the military, industry, and policymakers. The Army's first priority involves developing 'ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems', including hypersonic glide vehicles, hypersonic air-breathing engines (HEBs), and advanced fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation missiles to alter the deterrence equation. 'We want to change the deterrence equation by ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems,' Lt Gen Aujla stated, emphasising the need to transition from conventional 'dump category' ammunition to smart, precision-guided munitions. According to Aujla, the modernisation plan focuses on loitering ammunition and precision-guided munitions that will reduce collateral damage while enhancing the Army's surgical strike capabilities. The service is also investing heavily in directed energy weapons, including high-energy lasers and microwave systems for drone defence, anti-missile systems, and anti-satellite capabilities, he added. Recognising the evolving nature of modern warfare, the Army is prioritising robust electronic warfare and cyber capabilities. Lt Gen Aujla emphasised the urgent need for 'spectrum dominance capability' and cyber systems that are both offensive and defensive in nature. The military is seeking next-generation cyber defence tools, autonomous electronic warfare solutions, and resilient satellite systems to maintain absolute control over space assets from external and internal threats. The fourth pillar of modernisation focuses on individual soldier enhancement through cutting-edge technology. Plans include developing exoskeletons, human augmentation systems, smart body armour, and augmented reality battlefield management systems. 'The individual has to be an empowered individual, in terms of agility, in terms of resilience, in terms of endurance,' Lt Gen Aujla explained, highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence in helmets, apparel, and real-time health monitoring systems. The Army envisions providing every soldier with enhanced situational awareness through digital overlays and advanced technologies, ensuring near-perfect knowledge of their surroundings. The service is also transforming its logistics infrastructure by adopting artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, Internet of Things, and integrated platforms. The modernisation includes green and sustainable logistics, enhanced cybersecurity mechanisms, resilient supply chains, and advanced manufacturing techniques. Lt Gen Aujla indicated the Army's intention to focus on core military functions while outsourcing specialised aspects to industry experts and visionaries. The senior officer emphasised that successful modernisation requires convergence between three critical pillars: military users providing clear problem statements, policymakers enabling supportive frameworks, and industry delivering innovative solutions. 'You are the people who have to give shape to our desires, our requirements, our needs, which are absolutely operational in nature,' Lt Gen Aujla told industry representatives. The Army is seeking support from policymakers for defence technology acceleration funds, fast-tracked regulatory approvals, and simplified procurement cycles. Lt Gen Aujla called for establishing technological hubs, innovation centres, and incubation facilities to create an enabling environment for military-industry collaboration. 'Unless you prepare the environment to support the user and the industry, things won't work out. It will be just lip service, or it will be a mere slogan that we may keep saying that atmanirbharta is coming, or the self-reliance is,' he warned. (ANI)
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
In race for tech supremacy, India can ill-afford to be mere spectator, says top Army officer
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The race for technological supremacy has begun, and India can ill-afford to be a mere spectator in it, Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla , the Army's Master General Sustenance (MGS), said on Monday. He called on the defence industry to "march together" with the armed forces to create a secure future for the his address at an 'Industry Interactive Session' hosted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Lt Gen Aujla impressed upon the representatives of the domestic defence industry the importance of "customised solutions", as what is needed for Siachen will be different from the requirements for the armed forces in the plains or the desert."I am also looking at a capability that this industry should have. At the end of the day, even if we are in a conflict, you should be able to give me a solution based on my requirements within the earliest possible timeframe. So, that is the level of investment and R&D that has to happen," he officer emphasised that if the end-user is the armed forces, quality should be the defining factor for the industry as "we are working for a national cause". He pointed out that it is "my moral duty to ensure that the soldier gets the very best".The industry and the armed forces can be "co-creators" of a very secure, robust and dynamic India of the future, Lt Gen Aujla said."Global dynamics are changing. India is also changing and so are the armed forces. When we are changing and we have got boots on the ground, we want equal boots on the ground and on the shop floor as well."So, let us not walk separately. Let us march together, let's be comrades in capability development," he told the his address, the officer emphasised that India's military power, as far as the future is concerned, "will no longer get decided only in boardrooms and operation rooms.""It will now get decided also in R&D labs, on testing grounds and on the potency of the industry.""The race for technology or technological supremacy has begun and India can ill-afford to be a mere spectator... or just a participant. You (industry) are the people who will have to... take the charge and come up trumps," Lt Gen Aujla said. "So, it's a clarion call for everyone.""We have to rise, we have to step up, we have to deliver for the national cause. And in that national cause, revenue procurement and sustainability are extremely important," he Lt Gen Aujla interacted with the audience and fielded a range of questions, including those on various policies of the Defence Ministry and some of the issues faced by private players in the defence Ministry of Defence has declared 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms'.Responding to a question on his expectations from these anticipated reforms, Lt Gen Aujla said he is "very, very optimistic".In his address earlier, the officer also said his proposition is that one "invests 40 per cent in the present, but looks at 60 per cent for the future"."We have to be ahead of the curve to give us solutions which not only enhance the combat effectiveness of the Indian Army but you should be looking at the global needs as well," he added."From being cost-effective to having capacities which are aligned with the needs of the nation, to quality that you produce, to the timeline that you adhere, to the competitiveness that has to come, whether it is cooperation versus competition or it is cooperation and competition, it is for you to take a call," Lt Gen Aujla MGS of the Army said that as users "we are looking at our equipment and our sustainability in a matrix, which is absolutely top-notch". There is "no scope of any kind of dilution" whatsoever when it comes to quality, he that "our biggest strength today has to be technology", he also pitched for hiking the quantum of investment in R&D. Through the industry, the Army is looking at digital transformation, effective use of AI, Machine Learning, blockchain, robotics, and enhancing cyber security, he also said that unless the MSMEs and start-ups become strong and resilient, the Indian defence industry won't be able to make inroads in the desired manner.
