Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized the urgent need for India to embrace modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to boost its defence preparedness. Speaking at the East Tech Symposium 2025 in Ranchi, he warned that future wars will extend beyond traditional weapons into cyber and space domains, and India must gear up to tackle these threats head-on.
During his address at the event organized by the Army’s Eastern Command at Khelgaon complex, General Chauhan highlighted how rapidly evolving tech demands a stronger foundation for defence manufacturing. “AI and other cutting-edge innovations will decide the outcome of future battles,” he said, urging the adoption of strategic thinking in weapon selection and development.
He pointed out that India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing started later than many nations, but the country is now making solid progress. The government focuses on building homegrown capabilities, especially to counter challenges in cyber warfare and space defence. General Chauhan also tied this to the Act East Policy, stressing that eastern states like Jharkhand and West Bengal must step up to create a strong defence ecosystem.
Describing warfare as both a science and an art, he called on today’s warriors to stay creative and innovative. Addressing defence experts, technologists, and entrepreneurs at the symposium, he encouraged them to drive innovation, helping India achieve self-reliance and compete globally in defence.
The three-day East Tech Symposium promotes collaboration among the armed forces, defence industry, startups, and academia. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren jointly inaugurated it. Chief Minister Soren noted that Jharkhand’s rich mineral resources, including uranium, position the state to contribute significantly to defence and nuclear development. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth joined as the special guest.
This marks the fourth edition of the event by the Army’s Eastern Command—the first in Kolkata in 2022, followed by Guwahati in 2023, and Kolkata again in 2024.
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