Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated the long run of nationwide safety will more and more rely on the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology and Space capabilities, as warfare strikes past typical battlefields and turns into pushed by superior expertise.
Speaking on the National Defence College (NDC), Dr. Singh addressed senior officers and course contributors on the theme “Future Trajectory of Science and Technology and its Impact on National Security.” He stated scientific and technological innovation has change into one of crucial pillars of nationwide power, influencing not solely navy preparedness but additionally financial resilience, strategic autonomy and international competitiveness.
The minister stated the character of warfare has modified considerably over the previous decade, with technological superiority changing into as essential as conventional navy power. He famous that current conflicts all over the world have demonstrated how capabilities in area, communications, surveillance, precision weapon programs and real-time decision-making can decide the end result of navy operations. India, he added, has steadily strengthened its indigenous technological capabilities, permitting the nation to enhance its defence preparedness whereas enhancing its standing on the worldwide stage.
Highlighting India’s progress in defence manufacturing, Dr. Singh stated the nation has made substantial advances in decreasing dependence on imported defence gear. Defence manufacturing has elevated by practically 174 per cent since 2014, reaching round ₹1.54 lakh crore, whereas defence exports have grown virtually 34 occasions to exceed ₹23,000 crore. He stated the personal sector has performed a significant position on this transformation and now contributes considerably to India’s increasing defence exports.
The minister identified that the nation’s defence manufacturing ecosystem has grown quickly with the participation of greater than 16,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) together with tons of of startups growing superior defence applied sciences. This increasing ecosystem, he stated, demonstrates how innovation, entrepreneurship and nationwide safety can reinforce each other whereas creating new alternatives for industrial development, technological development and financial growth.
Looking on the future, Dr. Singh recognized Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology and superior Space capabilities because the applied sciences that can outline the subsequent technology of nationwide safety. He stated these fields are anticipated to remodel navy planning, strategic deterrence and nationwide resilience over the approaching a long time.
On Artificial Intelligence, the minister stated future armed forces will more and more rely on autonomous programs, clever surveillance platforms, predictive analytics, cognitive warfare capabilities and speedy decision-support programs. AI and Machine Learning are anticipated to reshape navy coaching, logistics, operational planning and risk evaluation by permitting commanders to course of giant volumes of data and reply extra rapidly to altering battlefield circumstances.
Discussing Quantum Technologies, Dr. Singh stated developments in quantum sensing, safe quantum communication and quantum cryptography are creating a brand new technology of strategic capabilities the world over. He referred to India’s National Quantum Mission, launched in 2023, as a significant step towards positioning the nation amongst international leaders in superior computing and safe communications. He added that the deployment of quantum-secure communication networks and post-quantum cryptography will change into more and more essential for shielding important civilian and navy infrastructure from future cyber threats.
The minister additionally highlighted the rising strategic significance of Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology. He stated the likelihood of engineered pathogens and different superior organic threats has expanded the scope of nationwide safety past typical defence planning. Continuous funding in biotechnology analysis, healthcare preparedness and biosecurity measures, he stated, will strengthen the nation’s capacity to reply to future public well being emergencies and rising safety dangers.
According to Dr. Singh, India’s long-term safety technique ought to be constructed round three broad priorities. These embody growing predictive and proactive programs for figuring out rising threats, strengthening the safety of digital and cyber infrastructure, and reaching better self-reliance in strategic applied sciences and important provide chains. He stated advances in rising applied sciences will permit governments to enhance risk detection, strengthen cybersecurity and develop quicker, extra adaptive response programs succesful of defending nationwide pursuits in an more and more interconnected world.
Dr. Singh additionally harassed the significance of nearer collaboration between authorities businesses, analysis establishments, universities, trade and startups. Public-private partnerships, he stated, will play a central position in accelerating innovation and making certain that scientific discoveries transfer effectively from analysis laboratories into sensible functions. Building this bridge between analysis and deployment will permit technological breakthroughs to strengthen India’s strategic capabilities extra successfully.
He added that India’s future power will rely on creating an innovation ecosystem the place civilian scientific progress and navy necessities evolve collectively. Such an strategy wouldn’t solely enhance nationwide safety but additionally place India as a number one technology-driven financial system and a trusted worldwide associate in superior strategic applied sciences.
Expressing appreciation for the nation’s Armed Forces, Dr. Singh stated the nation owes a long-lasting debt of gratitude to its troopers for shielding India’s borders in addition to for his or her service throughout pure disasters, humanitarian emergencies and different nationwide crises. He stated their dedication, usually carried out away from public consideration, continues to strengthen the nation’s resilience and displays the best spirit of public service.
The deal with concluded with an interactive dialogue throughout which senior officers and contributors of the National Defence College exchanged views on rising applied sciences, innovation-led defence methods and the evolving safety challenges probably to form the twenty-first century.