Technology plays important role in defence, needs more involvement and engagement, say experts

THE WEEK Defence Conclave 2025 saw dignitaries from the Defence forces to stress as to how technology plays a vital role in today’s time.

 

During the panel discussion ‘Deep and Niche Technologies: Where are We?’ prominently featured discussions on the Indian Army’s integration of advanced technologies to enhance operational capabilities and self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

 

The discussion focused on deep and niche technologies critical to the Indian Army’s modernization efforts.

 

Moderating the session, Lt Gen M.U. Nair, retired National Cyber Security Coordinator said, “Technology plays an important rule, it needs involvement and engagement.”

 

R.R. Swain, former DGP, J&K, emphasised that technology is very vital but we need to understand the minor issues that police is facing on the ground so that it can be utilised.”

 

Giving examples as to how things are challenging in Jammu and Kashmir as far as security is concerned, the former DGP said, “We have spent so much money on fencing our borders but now inflitrators are digging tunnels. This is the real challenge and if technology can help us in this, it would be a boost for our forces.”

 

Lt General D.S. Rana from the Defence intelligence agency said, “Everything is technology driven; drone when came was a success, but then things changed later.”

 

Rana cited examples of Ukraine war and said, “We need to understand the basic requirements of the war and then only technology can be made which is best suited.”

 

“Cross sections of technology needs to be taken into account. High technology and cost also needs to be taken care of,” Rana added.

 

Major Gen Shantanu Kashyap, ADG Army Aviation Corps said, “Technology is there with us from time immemorial and now we have to rediscover and re-invent the technology. We are there and our own designed technology is with us.”

 

Kashyap highlighted as to how Indian army is engaged with 3000 start ups for building on new technologies.

 

Showing his presentation, Major General Kashyap said, “During operation Brahma in Maynamar, we have used our own robotics mules.

 

“We are at technological renaissance. We are looking at engines and navigation system.”

 

Air vice marshal Rajiva Ranjan (retd) who also showed his presentation during the panel discussion said, “We have deep tech policy—military has to invest more in technology. There is need of IDEX 2.0.”

 

Ranjan also stressed that IP creation bottlenecks need to overcome as it causes extreme delays for defence technologies.

 

Tarun Wig, co-founder and CEO Innefu Labs, also hailed IDEX initiative and said, “IDEX is a groundbreaking initiative where they have created an ecosystem. This needs to evolve but there are challenges—probity and transparency needs to be there and absorption in the ecosystem.”

 

Defence