CDS stresses flexibility and tech adaptation for armed forces amid global shift

Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan Saturday emphasized the imperative for the Indian armed forces to navigate a swiftly evolving geopolitical landscape and technological advancements Speaking at the Synergia Conclave 2023 CDS Chauhan highlighted the need for flexibility in both organizational structures and mindsets to effectively operate in this dynamic environment news wire PTI reportedCDS Chauhan outlined the significant impact of geopolitical events and technological advancements on the armed forces He underscored the importance of the decisions made today shaping Indias position in 2047Delivering a keynote address on Global Future Security Challenges at the Synergia Conclave 2023 Chauhan said the Indian armed forces will have to operate in an environment that is rapidly reshaped by the turn of geopolitical events and advancements in technologies This will require flexibility in our organizational structures as well as in our mindsets he saidReflecting on the need for a comprehensive approach Chauhan stated We should be able to usher a thorough Revolution in Military Affairs RMA along with other nations to remain ahead or at par with this transformative curveOur organisational structures must be capable of multidomain operations They must be structured for integrated rapid response through a correct balance between contact noncontact kinetic as well as nonkinetic options They must be flexible and adaptive enough to absorb and harness niche emerging and destructive technology he saidChauhan also addressed the increasing proclivity among nations to enter into conflicts to protect perceived national interestsAlso read Madhya Pradesh sees 7622 pc polling voter turnout higher than in 2018 electionsHe pointed out the challenges associated with conflicts initiated by major powers citing examples like Afghanistan Iraq and Ukraine where clear end stages or exit strategies were often lackingIn my understanding the US cannot simultaneously meet the commitments of the Indo Pacific Europe and Asia It accordingly has shifted its focus from what they called a global war of terror being conducted in the Middle East and Afghanistan towards the IndoPacific where theyre calling it as grey zone conflicts he saidHe stressed the importance of managing differences and resolving disputes particularly noting the potential polarization of the world due to ongoing conflicts like the IsraelHamas situation which could usher in new geopolitical alignmentsDiscussing global trends Chauhan noted that the trajectory of ongoing unprecedented nature of change in global geopolitics and technology will drive future security challengesHe highlighted the interconnectedness of geopolitical events and technology both inducing behavioural changes at the national and individual levelsThe trajectory of ongoing unprecedented nature of change in global geopolitics and technology will drive future security challenges he statedGeopolitical events according to Chauhan influence national ideologies geoeconomics and the global geoeconomic orderAnticipating a shift from unipolarity to a multipolar global order he emphasized the potential for stability as new poles balance each other though acknowledging the likelihood of lowintensity conflicts and proxy warsHe noted that new alliances and partnerships among nationstates would undergo frequent realignments to meet evolving challengesTurning to technology Chauhan emphasized its role as a currency of power and a driver of military advancementsHe discussed the race among nations to retain a technological edge foreseeing a new revolution in military affairs termed convergence warfareHe underlined the critical need for adaptability and foresight in navigating the complex future security landscape urging comprehensive changes in military strategies and structures to meet evolving challenges successfully With inputs from PTI