New Delhi || 12-11-2024 Addressing the inaugural of Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) today Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to create an ‘Adaptive Defence’ in the country to counter the challenges posed by the fast-changing world in today’s times.
DDD is organized by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the theme of DDD is ‘Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare’.
Defence Minister said that ‘Adaptive Defence’ is 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 stated.
Rajnath Singh 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 said.
Defence Minister pointed out that traditional notions of war are 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. He termed the present age as Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare where traditional ways to defend have been challenged. Continuous adaptation is the best strategy to deal with the emerging challenges, he said.
Rajnath Singh threw light on the diverse range of security challenges faced by India, from the traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare. He asserted that the Government recognized 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. It includes establishing the institution of the Chief of Defence Staff, promoting togetherness among the three Services, improvising the training curriculum and forging new defence partnerships around the world.
Defence Minister emphasized that, in the present age of digitization and information overload, the world is facing an unprecedented scale of psychological warfare. He stated that the Government is determined to employ adaptive defence strategies to counter the menace of information warfare against national security.
Minister Singh said 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.
Rajnath Singh added that the ‘Make in India’ campaign has witnessed success through indigenous projects such as Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, INS Vikrant, and DRDO’s missile programmes. “Today, we are also witnessing the fruits of our endeavour in the rising exports of defence items. Currently, India is exporting defence items to over 100 nations, with the top three destinations for defence exports in 2023-24 being the USA, France, and Armenia. We hope to achieve the target of Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence exports by 2029,” he stated.
The DDD is a flagship platform of MP-IDSA for addressing the multifaceted challenges of defence and security in India. As the landscape of warfare becomes increasingly complex, the platform is designed to discuss the evolving landscape of international security and defence strategies, with a focus on India’s defence. The dialogue aims to exchange views and foster collaboration among defence experts, policymakers, and military leaders. Further, as India navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, the DDD serves as a critical forum for addressing the need for a robust defence strategy that not only addresses immediate threats but also anticipates future challenges.
DG, MP-IDSA Ambassador Sujan R Chinoy, Vice-Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal SP Dharkar, civil & military officials and distinguished participants from within the country & abroad were present on the occasion.
