India needs AI-powered war doctrine

The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasised the need for an AI-powered war doctrine to strengthen India’s defence capabilities. Speaking at the 16th Foundation Day of IIT-Mandi, Singh highlighted the importance of indigenous AI chips and advanced cybersecurity firewalls to safeguard national security.

“India has achieved 88% self-sufficiency in ammunition production, and our defence exports have reached approximately Rs 23,000 crore in 2023-24. We aim to touch Rs 50,000 crore by 2029,” Singh stated.

The Minister stressed the need for a Centre of Excellence in every IIT to accelerate advancements in drones and aerospace technology. He acknowledged India’s progress in developing indigenous fighter aircraft like Tejas and called for further innovation in aircraft and engine development.

Singh also highlighted India’s expanding technology ecosystem, predicting its value to reach $300-350 billion in the next five years. With over 1.25 lakh startups and 110 unicorns, India is emerging as the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally.

He urged IIT Mandi to take a greater role in defence technology research, citing its collaboration with DRDO. He called for advancements in AI-driven warfare, indigenous chip development, cybersecurity, and quantum technology to ensure India’s military and technological dominance.

“The future belongs to quantum computing. We must prepare ourselves to lead in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and digital technologies,” he added.