Indian Army must explore innovative ways to upgrade its existing combat platforms, says GOC-in-C, Western Command
Speaking ahead of the Mech Tech Seminar 2.0 in Chandimandir, Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh outlined a bottom-up approach
The Indian armed forces are focusing on upgrading existing military platforms with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and drones rather than replacing entire fleets. Speaking at the curtain-raiser for Mech Tech Seminar 2.0, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh emphasized a bottom-up approach to address real operational challenges faced by soldiers. By sharing problem definition statements with Indian industries, startups, and academic institutions, the Army aims to foster affordable innovations that enhance combat effectiveness and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat defense initiative.
The Indian armed forces are focusing on upgrading existing military platforms with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and drones rather than replacing entire fleets. Speaking at the curtain-raiser for Mech Tech Seminar 2.0, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh emphasized a bottom-up approach to address real operational challenges faced by soldiers. By sharing problem definition statements with Indian industries, startups, and academic institutions, the Army aims to foster affordable innovations that enhance combat effectiveness and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat defense initiative.
The Indian armed forces are focusing on upgrading existing military platforms with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and drones rather than replacing entire fleets. Speaking at the curtain-raiser for Mech Tech Seminar 2.0, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh emphasized a bottom-up approach to address real operational challenges faced by soldiers. By sharing problem definition statements with Indian industries, startups, and academic institutions, the Army aims to foster affordable innovations that enhance combat effectiveness and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat defense initiative.
The Indian armed forces is looking to make its existing military platforms more effective, lethal and survivable by integrating emerging technologies instead of replacing entire fleets whenever new capabilities and technologies are emerging.
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, said the Indian Army must explore innovative ways to upgrade its existing combat platforms to meet the challenges of future warfare. Speaking at the curtain-raiser event for Mech Tech Seminar 2.0, he highlighted the growing role played by drones, artificial intelligence and precision weapons in transforming modern warfare.
"However, to stay ahead, we must not only develop new capabilities, but also find smarter ways to make our existing military platforms more effective, lethal, and more survivable," he said, according to news agency ANI.
"We cannot replace our entire fleet every time that a new technology emerges. But we can certainly make the existing platforms smarter, stronger, and more capable," Lt Gen Singh pointed out.
The Western Army Commander said the initiative would adopt a bottom-up approach, identifying operational challenges faced by soldiers before exploring technological solutions. Instead of beginning with available technologies, the Army has identified specific battlefield problems and prepared problem definition statements for Indian industry, startups and academic institutions, he noted.
"What are the actual challenges our soldiers face on the ground and how can technology help overcome them? Based on these operational requirements, we have identified specific problems and developed problem definition statements, which we are sharing with Indian industry, startups, and academia. We are looking for practical, affordable, and innovative solutions for the problem statements," he said.
The main Mech Tech Seminar 2.0 is scheduled for December 14 and 15 at Chandimandir. It will bring together representatives of the armed forces, industry and academia to exchange ideas, showcase technologies and explore solutions to identified battlefield challenges. The initiative also aims to strengthen India's defence innovation ecosystem and support the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat programme.