Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Vajra Corps, addressed attendees at the Annual Strategic Seminar 2025, which took place at the College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad. The seminar gathered middle-level officers from the three armed services, alongside foreign officers enrolled in the Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), faculty members, and a notable online audience.
In his address, Lt Gen Chandpuria emphasized the critical need for technology-driven leadership in military affairs, stressing that the future landscape of warfare will significantly be influenced by advancements in technology. He highlighted the importance of adopting emerging technologies, underscoring that military leaders must not only keep pace with these developments but also lead the charge in integrating them into operations.
Among the key themes of his lecture was the necessity of cultivating indigenous multi-domain capabilities. Lt Gen Chandpuria pointed out the need for India to enhance its self-reliance in defence technology through research and development, advocating collaboration between public and private sectors to bolster these efforts.
He articulated that the modern battlefield demands a high level of integration across various domains, including land, air, sea, space, and cyber. This cross-domain integration will be essential for responding effectively to complex challenges and threats in a rapidly changing strategic environment.
Moreover, Lt Gen Chandpuria spoke about the importance of global military-technological synergy, asserting that lessons learned from international best practices and fostering defense cooperation globally are fundamental to building a robust military framework.
In describing the profile of future military leaders, he introduced the concept of “Techno Commanders.” These commanders will be expected to possess expertise in advanced warfare technologies, drive innovation, and spearhead strategic modernization efforts across the armed forces.
As he charted a roadmap for developing Techno Commanders, Lt Gen Chandpuria reinforced the crucial role adaptive and technologically advanced military leadership will play in ensuring that India remains at the forefront of the evolving strategic landscape. His insights resonated with the audience, reminding military personnel of the imperative to embrace change and innovation in the face of new challenges in defense and security.
