The Ministry of Defence on Friday stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of drawing lessons from ongoing geopolitical crises and conflicts in the Middle East during the second edition of the Army Commanders Conference that took place from October 16 to October 20, 2023, in a hybrid mode. During this five-day event, the senior leadership of the Indian Army engaged in extensive discussions on various security-related issues, considering the current global developments.
On October 18, 2023, Rajnath Singh addressed the senior Indian Army leadership. General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), also delivered addresses during the conference.
He highlighted the need for readiness in the face of unexpected events, cautioning against misinterpretation of force asymmetry and underestimating adversaries, emphasizing that these factors can be the difference between victory and defeat in any conflict, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) mentioned in a statement.
CDS General Anil Chauhan discussed the National Security Architecture and the necessity for a Revolution in Military Affairs to adapt to the changing security landscape. Army chief General Manoj Pande commended the Army for embracing and actively participating in ongoing changes, urging the senior leadership to continue the process of transformation.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari covered operational aspects and stressed the importance of synergy between the armed services to achieve optimal operational outcomes.
Throughout the conference, top military leaders deliberated on current and emerging security scenarios, assessed the operational readiness of the Indian Army, and examined fundamental aspects of organizational structures and evolving training methodologies.
"Geo-strategic issues including Russia-Ukraine War and Israel-Hamas Conflict were discussed by the military leadership with the aim of drawing out relevant lessons for the Indian Army," the statement mentioned.
The recent Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in Sikkim, along with the associated losses and preparedness, were thoroughly examined. The conference also explored synergies between government agencies for rescue, relief, and the speedy restoration of communication infrastructure, with a focus on establishing mechanisms for improved response in similar emergencies.
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, delivered a talk on "Leveraging Technology for National Security," discussing the impact of technology on future warfare. He emphasised advancements in Quantum Computing, cyber threat mitigation, and growing strides in Artificial Intelligence.
Additionally, the conference offered a platform for Ministry of Defence officials and senior military leadership to collaborate on a range of initiatives. Key takeaways included making the Short Service Commission more appealing, conducting all internal examinations online, and addressing veterans' concerns, the defence ministry mentioned.
"In addition, the military leadership deliberated upon the training philosophy and architecture for the Indian Army in the new era including digitisation & automation initiatives so as to make the Force, “Future Ready” in consonance with emerging contours of threats and conflicts," the ministry stated.
The insights and perspectives of senior commanders were gathered to formulate coherent policies in areas such as operations, training, logistics, and others, aligning with the ongoing transformation of the Indian Army. These discussions at the conceptual level will pave the way for the formulation of important policies for the future, the MoD mentioned.