India seeks technological advantage
Acquisition of new capabilities, harnessing niche technologies like ‘Big Data Analytics’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence’ for solutions in the domains of naval combat will be discussed during the first edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2019 is scheduled at New Delhi from 23 to 25 April 2019.
The conference will look at convergence of networks/information, logistics, administration and equipment health monitoring for sustained operations.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address the Naval Commanders while interaction with Chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force during the conference analyse the operational environment, deliberate on Tri-Service synergy and readiness to deter and neutralise threats aimed at the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The conference is the apex forum within the Service for interaction between the Naval Commanders.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, with the Commanders-in-Chief, will review major operational, materiel, logistics, HR, training and administrative activities undertaken during the previous six months and deliberate upon the course to be steered in the ensuing six months.
The Conference assumes greater significance in the backdrop of Pulwama associated events that have brought country’s defence under sharper focus and will provide the higher naval leadership a forum to discuss the emerging challenges in the maritime domain and fine tune the strategies for responding to the evolving geo-strategic environment.
The conference will also serve as a platform for institutionalised interaction of Naval Commanders with senior Government Officials.
The themes of ‘Functional Reorganisation of Indian Navy towards improving Operational Efficiency’ and ‘Optimal Manning’ will form the core of discussions towards finalising long term road map for the IN.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said the Rafale and S400 air defence missiles would restore the technological balance in favour of India.
Speaking at a seminar ‘Aerospace Power in the 2040s: Impact of Technology’ recently, he said air power is more sensitive to technology than the other forces.
He said technology affected the IAF the most. Purchase of air-borne radars and intelligence gathering platforms would have to be fast-tracked, he said.
“In such short skirmishes we cannot bring out numbers to bare, hence the need for more surveillance platforms,” he added.
The development process of fighter jets and Light Combat Aircraft (LCH) had been slow, he said.
He expected the soon-to-be implemented Strategic Partnership model to bring in technologies that would allow production of fifth-generation fighter jets and long-range missiles.
The seminar was held to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh who would have turned 100 on 15 April 2019.
Speaking at the Air Force Commanders’ conference on 11 April 2019, the Defence Minister told IAF to look at the future with the latest technologies available across the world and those that can be developed within India, in order to meet its needs.
She said the IAF will play a vital role in enhancing the defence manufacturing capabilities of the nation through its acquisitions in the form of Strategic Partnership Model.
Sitharaman added that she is aware of the critical requirements projected by the IAF and assured that “as a Nation we need to build those capabilities.”
She said that IAF personnel, serving and retired could contribute immensely in enhancing defence manufacturing and production in India.
The defence production industry must utilize these assets to the fullest, she stressed. fiinews.com
