What Does the Sapta Shakti Tech Seminar in Jaipur Offer?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Importance of AI in military strategy and operations.
- Challenges of hybrid warfare and the necessity for innovation.
- Enhanced ISR capabilities are vital for modern combat.
- Ethical considerations in deploying autonomous weapons.
- Collaboration between military and educational institutions for R&D is essential.
Jaipur, July 16 (NationPress) The eagerly anticipated technical seminar titled ‘Next Generation Combat – Shaping Tomorrow’s Military Today’ officially kicked off on Wednesday at the Jaipur Military Station.
Hosted by the South Western Command in partnership with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), this event was initiated under the vision of Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Command.
During his keynote address, Lt Gen Singh highlighted the crucial impact of science and technology in realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat. He pointed out the pressing necessity for the Indian Army to constantly adapt and innovate in light of changing threats and evolving warfare concepts.
Focusing on contemporary challenges, he addressed the intricacies of Grey zone warfare and the emergence of hybrid threats that complicate the definitions of war and peace.
He emphasized the vital importance of advanced systems, precision munitions, and enhanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) capabilities, along with drone warfare, particularly citing its success during Operation Sindoor.
The Army Commander also discussed the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving decision-making, operational efficiency, and resource management.
Furthermore, he underscored the significance of ethical guidelines, human oversight, and adherence to international humanitarian law in the utilization of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS).
A significant highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South Western Command and the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, aimed at enhancing joint indigenisation and research & development in defence technology. The first day of the seminar was dedicated to discussing the implications of an AI-enabled battlefield.
Topics of discussion included next-generation innovations such as hypersonic and directed energy weapons, advanced cyber and electronic warfare systems, and soldier-centric technologies like exoskeletons and AI-driven battlefield management tools.
A dedicated defence industry exhibition, the “Sapta Shakti Symposium,” was inaugurated to showcase advanced equipment designed for addressing real-time battlefield challenges. Coordinated by SIDM, it attracted enthusiastic participation from both established and emerging defence manufacturers. The insightful discussions and technical exchanges established a positive outlook for the seminar's second day.