New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday called upon the armed forces to strengthen both offensive and defensive aspects of the ‘element of surprise’ to maintain operational readiness against conventional and emerging threats amid rapid technological advancements and the changing nature of modern warfare.
Addressing the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Singh emphasised the need to strengthen intelligence and surveillance capabilities, improve integration among systems and identify potential threats before they unfold.
He said the Defence Forces must develop capabilities and methods that leave adversaries with no time to react or recover while ensuring that Indian forces are never caught off guard by unexpected enemy moves.
He stressed that surprise could take conventional as well as electronic forms, making stronger intelligence and surveillance mechanisms essential to keeping personnel alert, agile and prepared for emerging challenges.
Singh observed that modern conflicts were increasingly extending beyond traditional battlefields into non-contact domains, with missiles, drones and advanced weapon systems playing a significant role, according to an official statement.
Referring to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, he highlighted the growing importance of drones and air defence systems in contemporary warfare.
He urged Air Force Commanders to prepare for emerging challenges involving kamikaze drones, surveillance and counter-drone operations.
The Defence Minister also called upon the Indian Air Force (IAF) to develop dedicated doctrines and operational architectures for emerging warfare domains, including electronic, cyber and space.
He said enhanced preparedness in these areas would strengthen the country’s ability to address future security challenges.
Singh stressed that victory in future conflicts would depend not merely on the number of aircraft but also on technological sophistication, speed of response and precision in preparations.
He urged the Commanders to make these emerging challenges a core priority and incorporate them into institutional thinking, planning and operational processes.
Highlighting the ongoing transformation of the Defence Forces, Singh said reforms were being undertaken across several areas, including organisational structures, jointness and integration, and operational concepts.
He added that the changing security environment required continuous adaptation and a forward-looking approach to military preparedness.
Rajnath Singh commends IAF’s role in Operation Sindoor
The Defence Minister commended the IAF for effectively implementing its doctrines and operational methods during and after Operation Sindoor. He praised the professionalism, restraint and judgement demonstrated by air warriors while carrying out their assigned tasks.
Singh said the lessons learnt during the operation were reflected in the IAF’s evolving operational procedures, particularly through the increased emphasis on drones and air defence systems, which he described as vital to national security. He added that these lessons were shaping the pace and direction of the ongoing transformation of the Defence Forces.
Highlighting the coordinated and complementary contributions of the Army, Navy and Air Force during Operation Sindoor, he congratulated the three Services for their synergy and integration. He emphasised that jointness and coordinated efforts must continue to guide military planning and operational execution.
Focus on emerging technologies and Agniveer policy
Appreciating the IAF’s efforts to enhance the skills and capabilities of its personnel in line with rapid technological advancements, Singh urged the Commanders to continue training air warriors in emerging technologies.
He also stressed the importance of harnessing the technological knowledge and expertise of young recruits, noting that their capabilities could contribute significantly to stronger decision-making and organisational development.
On the Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers, Singh said the decision had been taken after considering feedback from the Defence Forces.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to incorporating suggestions from the Services into policy decisions and expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen the three Services.
IAF launches AI applications for operational efficiency
During the conference, Singh launched a suite of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications developed in-house by the IAF’s AI Centre of Excellence under the Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking.
The applications are designed to automate and expedite tasks across operations, administration, and aerospace safety. They will be deployed on the IAF’s secure network.
The initiative marks a significant step in the IAF’s technology-driven transformation and efforts to enhance its operational capabilities.
