The Indian Army’s South Western Command has initiated a significant seminar titled “Next Generation Combat: Shaping Tomorrow’s Military Today” at the Jaipur Military Station. This event, held in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), represents a concerted effort to enhance the Indian military’s capabilities with modern technologies.
During the seminar, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Manjinder Singh delivered a keynote address underscoring the critical role that science and innovation play in advancing India towards its ambitious Viksit Bharat vision of becoming a developed nation. He emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, precision-guided munitions, and drone warfare into contemporary military strategies.
One of the major highlights of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sapta Shakti Command and the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) in Jaipur. This agreement aims to foster joint research and development efforts, with aspirations to diminish India’s dependence on defense imports and boost domestic innovations in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Experts have projected that this collaborative effort could potentially reduce foreign defense imports by up to 50 percent by the year 2030, according to findings from a report by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This underscores the necessity of forging alliances between academia, industry, and military for effective defense research and development.
Additionally, the seminar featured demonstrations of cutting-edge military hardware, including combat drones and ISR systems. These displays served as a reminder of past conflicts where dependence on foreign technology posed strategic challenges. The success of indigenous deployments during Operation Sindoor has reinforced the significance of homegrown military solutions.
The seminar will continue for an additional day, with focused discussions on tactical transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence, and the exploration of emerging technologies. As military forces around the world increasingly adopt tech-driven approaches to warfare, India is proactively positioning itself to emerge as a leader in future combat preparedness.
