Indian Army charts roadmap for high-tech warfare at next-gen combat seminar

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), organised a seminar, “Next Generation Combat – Shaping Tomorrow’s Military Today,” at the military station in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The seminar brought together leading experts, military strategists, and industry innovators to deliberate on the evolving landscape of warfare and the critical technological advancements required to maintain a decisive edge.

Advertisement

An Army spokesperson stated that the event was conceptualised by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command.

In his opening address, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh emphasised the urgent need for the Indian Army to adapt and innovate in response to the multifaceted challenges of modern and future conflicts. He delved into the complexities of grey zone warfare and stressed the importance of developing sophisticated capabilities to counter hybrid threats that blur the lines between peace and war.

He also highlighted how advanced systems, precision munitions, enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, including the effective employment of drones, were instrumental in the success of Operation Sindoor.

Acknowledging the immense potential of AI in enhancing decision-making, optimising resource allocation and increasing the speed and precision of operations, he said, “There is a critical need for robust ethical frameworks, human oversight and adherence to international humanitarian law in the development and deployment of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS).”

During the seminar, discussions revolved around accelerated development and integration of cutting-edge solutions, including hypersonic weapons, directed energy weapons, advanced cyber and electronic warfare systems, and soldier-centric modernisation initiatives like exoskeletons and AI-powered battlefield management systems.

A display of the latest equipment being developed by the defence industry to solve critical field Army issues was also organised by the SIDM.