Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS) The armed forces must be equipped with artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain technologies to meet the challenges of modern warfare, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Monday.

He was addressing a roundtable of envoys of more than 80 nations to apprise the participating ambassadors, high commissioners and defence attaches about India’s annual defence exposition – DefExpo 2020 – which will be held in Lucknow in February 2020.

“As we all are aware, the character of warfare is changing and therefore, in this information age, the challenge is not just to prepare for contingencies but also to repel threats from multiple sources, and at the same time possess the ability to respond proactively if needed,” he said.

“The role of AI, big data and blockchain technologies has already revolutionised the existing paradigm of warfighting. The defence industry is undergoing a churning to cope and employ these technologies, in order to safeguard the safety and security of critical infrastructure,” said Singh.

Singh further said that digitalisation is the key to future security scenario based on the application of digital technologies in defence manufacturing as the spectrum of warfare is transiting from the traditional land, air and sea to cyber space and the space.

The envoys were briefed about the events to be held at DefExpo 2020 like showcasing of defence technologies and products and collaborative efforts at building defence co-operation among participant countries.

“In the coming edition of DefExpo, the event will showcase our intent to achieve a turnover of $26 bn approx. in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025. We will also showcase our plans for Defence Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where we already have investment commitments of about 1 billion US dollars. More than 100 business events and seminars are being planned and over 1000 exhibitors are expected in DefExpo 2020,” he added.