IN CONVERSATION
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY WILL HAVE PROFOUND IMPACT ON FUTURE WARFARE Enhancement in digital technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Big Data, IoMT and GIS is bound to change the way information is acquired, collated, analyzed and disseminated, says Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, in an interview to Geospatial World.
How do you assess the impact of China’s economic and military expansion, and its belligerence on the global security scenario; and how can we ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region?
China has taken umpteen steps in recent years to modernize its military and has improved its capabilities to exert influence far beyond its maritime or continental borders. Unprecedented economic growth over the last few decades has enabled China to secure overseas investment, resources and power. Debt diplomacy coupled with overt military belligerence in South and East China Seas, as well as Eastern Ladakh, have led to an environment of uncertainty and volatility in the region. The Indo-Pacific signifies the confluence of the Indian and Pacific oceans, and is home to 12 | www.gwprime.geospatialworld.net | March-April 2021
over 64% of world population, 62% of global GDP and 50% of global trade. India is a pivotal force in this region and is steadfastly working to achieve peace and stability through cooperation in maritime security, open trade, connectivity and risk mitigation amongst the littoral states. Capacity building of all stakeholders in the region has been a priority for India in countering non-traditional security challenges, such as crime, piracy, drugs, arms and human trafficking, and Climate Change. ‘Quad’ as a grouping of like-minded countries which share the global commons is an attempt towards a ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific region.
Modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Internet of Things and GIS are playing an important role in warfare. How can our defense
forces adapt faster to the changing technologies?
Disruptive technologies would bring about a quantum change in the way future wars are fought. Enhancement in digital technologies like AI, ML, Big Data, IoMT (Internet of Military Things) and GIS is bound to change the way information is acquired, collated, analyzed and disseminated. These are dual use technologies that would have a profound impact on future warfare. The Indian Army is abreast with these advancements and is adopting measures to identify the domains where these technologies can be assimilated. Some of these domains include lethal autonomous weapon systems, unmanned patrolling and ISR, threat modeling, war game simulation and training, supply chain and logistics, and predictive maintenance. After having identified the military fields of application, modes of
