'Future of wars in space, cyber space'

Modi wants forces to focus on upgrading tech skills

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked the armed forces to become more and more tech savvy to take on enemy challenges in space and cyber space as the future of war is heading towards that direction.

“Beyond the immediate, we are facing a future where security challenges will be less predictable. Domination of cyber space will become increasingly important. Control of space may become as critical as that of land, air and sea,” Modi said, addressing the combined commanders conference.

Following the recommendations of a high level panel that reviewed higher defence management, almost three years ago, the defence ministry proposed to create three new tri-service commands specialising on cyber warfare, space and special operations. The proposal is still caught in bureaucratic red tapes.

Stressing on the technology factor, the prime minister asked the three services to give “serious thought” to upgrade technological skills for effective projection of power by men.

“When we speak of Digital India, we would like to see a digital armed force,” Modi told the audience that included the top brass of the Army, Air Force and Navy.

Besides officials, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too attended the conference.

“Situations will evolve and change swiftly and technological changes will make responses more difficult to keep pace with. The threats may be known, but the enemy may be invisible. Full scale wars may become rare. The duration of conflicts will be shorter. But the force will remain an instrument of deterrence and influencing behaviour,” he said.

While Modi did not touch upon the recent turbulence on the Pakistan and China borders, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley blamed Pakistan straightaway for its efforts to bleed India.

Calling Pakistan a “global puzzle”, Jaitley said for two decades cross-border terrorism had been emanating from there. “We live in a disturbed neighbourhood,” he added.

Modi and Jaitley’s address to top commanders from three services came within hours of India successfully conducting a test of indigenous nuclear capable cruise missile “Nirbhay” that has a range of approximately 1,000 km. Once inducted, the Tomahawk type missile would be India's answer to Pakistan's “Babur”.