What is India's upcoming project for Future Warfare? Are we REALLY Ready?

"World War 2 had a significant impact on the development of technology, as a Whole"- Berry Commoner(American biologist and eco-socialist)

Recent Advancement Globally:-

For the first time, the machine gun was controlled remotely using advanced cameras and artificial intelligence and targeted only one individual without causing any collateral damage.

The recent use of a satellite-controlled weapons platform used in the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has invited international attention, probably for the fact that a remotely controlled machine gun mounted on a pickup was used to kill him pointedly. For the first time, the machine gun was controlled remotely using advanced cameras and artificial intelligence and targeted only one individual without causing any collateral damage.

Artificial intelligence-based platforms are the future of any battlefield. They are stealthy and very effective. They can be easily deployed without being detected easily and cause havoc through enemy fire.

“ The development of remote-controlled devices has seen phenomenal development since US forces started targeting terrorist networks with precise accuracy using drones. Scores of Taliban, ISIS, and other terrorist leaders were targeted using satellite-controlled weapon platforms. However, the nature of such weapons led to the elimination of targets in close vicinity of the targeted individual as well,” Brig NK Bhatia

.

The Indian Army veteran says, “ In the recent conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, extensive reports of the use of the artificial intelligence-based weapon platforms, more particularly swarm drones, came to light caused huge casualties amongst not only to soldiers but also to armored vehicles.”

So the question that arises in the mind of every Indian is that-

Is the Indian Armed Forces ready?

• Not yet, as to become a fully network-centric force, artificial intelligence (AI) in the military is expected to begin shortly. It will take around 3-4 years before the AI tool is used in the Indian Military. This has already started, and the plan is that every army personnel will have the tools in which Artificial Intelligence will be integrated. A Defence Artificial Intelligence Council is already set up in the Ministry of Defence, and the defense minister is the chairman. The three service chiefs, the defense secretary, and the secretary of defense production are members.

But Indian armed forces are coming up with two major projects:

1. DRDO developing exoskeleton for the Indian soldiers posted in high altitudes
2. Indian armed forces to build 5G network: Defence Secretary

• The first article content is associated with Financialexpress.com, published on 5 June 2021. Tells us about the currently ongoing research of DRDO on Exoskeleton. With the Sino-India border issue likely to be guarded more intensely by both sides, support to make the lives of the soldiers safer and conducive shall go a long way in their motivation and operational efficiency.

The exoskeletons are rapidly emerging as part of the modern troop's body gadget, and Armed Forces may be keenly looking forward to the culmination of this project, far sooner than many others still within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Lab environment.

Multiple R&D in bio-engineering and electro-medical technology is carried out by DRDO, and this is done so that technological advancement reaches the soldiers.

Exoskeletons can be worn over a regular uniform or combat gear to augment a soldier’s strength fully. And this helps in ensuring soldiers who are on patrol duty in high altitude terrains wear leg gear which assists in walking in the snow. This then reduces fatigue and exhaustion, which is faced by the soldier in a thin oxygen climate.

For the Indian soldiers, such futuristic technology can help move around in the minus 30-40 degrees Celsius temperature along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

• The second article is from Swarajyamag.com, published on Apr 18, 2021. Provides us information about how Indian armed forces embrace 5G technology to bring AI, uncrewed vehicles to the central stage.

In a boost for the Indian Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry on Friday (16 April) said that the forces would migrate to the 5G network considering uncrewed vehicles and artificial vehicles, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the future.  The ministry will also be taking the necessary steps to take forward the 5G connectivity with the relevant use case circumstances.

Ajay Kumar, Secretary Ministry of Defence, stated that though the Indian forces are keen to leverage futuristic technologies, 5G in India is currently nascent. According to a top official, no commercial deployment has taken place so far, likely to embrace the next generation (5G) technology to bring artificial intelligence (AI) and uncrewed vehicles to the Centre stage to compete with the most advanced armed forces worldwide.

What can we conclude from this?

Yes, India is a developing nation. So it becomes a serious issue to develop and make its armed forces up-to-date, as armed forces are the ones who work for the security and sovereignty of the country.

We even have neighbors like China and Pakistan because advancement in armed forces is needed, and Indian armed forces are taking this as a serious issue. All the three forces need to work combinedly as one unit in technology so that this.