Hyderabad, Mar 11 (TNT): Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), has stressed the need to effectively harness multi-domain operations, data-centric warfare and unmanned systems in future conflicts.
Addressing officers undergoing the ‘21st Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC-21)’ during his visit to the College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad here on Tuesday, Gen. Dwivedi outlined the Indian Army’s vision for transformation in response to the evolving security environment, stressing the importance of technological capability, organisational agility and self-reliance, according to a defence release issued on Wednesday.
He said the Army’s transformation would remain anchored in the core values of truth, trust and transparency.
Referring to lessons from Operation Sindoor, Gen. Dwivedi highlighted India’s shift from a reactive approach to a proactive deterrence posture and reiterated the need to leverage advanced technologies in future warfare.
He noted that developing “battlefield equalisers” alongside traditional battlefield strengths would be crucial to maintaining operational advantage.
Emphasising that change management is a strategic necessity, the Army Chief urged officers to cultivate creative, critical, systems, cognitive and imaginative thinking to strengthen institutional adaptability and encourage innovative problem-solving.
Gen. Dwivedi also highlighted the need to balance process and outcomes while ensuring conceptual clarity and operational effectiveness. He said modern warfare requires the integration of all five generations of warfare through a comprehensive multi-domain approach.
Calling for a deeper understanding of grey-zone warfare, he stressed that awareness must extend from the level of the Commanding Officer to the Chief of Army Staff to effectively counter emerging threats.
On human resource management, he emphasised empowering Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) to help address officer shortages and strengthen tactical leadership.
The Army Chief also referred to the raising of new formations such as the Bhairav Battalion and the Special Operations Forces Brigade, reflecting the Army’s efforts to adapt to emerging security challenges.
During his visit, Gen. Dwivedi interacted with faculty members and international participants from friendly foreign countries, exchanging views on strategic management, leadership development and resource optimisation.
He commended the College of Defence Management for its role in developing strategic leaders, strengthening tri-service synergy and enhancing India’s defence preparedness through higher defence management education.
TNT TS
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