Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 30 : Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday underscored the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern warfare, saying it plays a crucial role in enabling faster decision-making and managing the increasing complexity of battlefield operations.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the 150th Course at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, General Dwivedi said AI has become essential as armed forces deal with vast resources and rapidly evolving combat situations. Explaining the need for AI-driven systems, the Army Chief said the speed of modern warfare demands quicker and more informed decisions.
"Artificial Intelligence, as we look into -- why it is required. When you have resources which are beyond your control, you can't manage them all in one go. Secondly, there is an OODA cycle -- Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. When you are superimposed with more than one cycle, how do you act? Therefore, when the velocity of warfare is very high, you need additional support within your resources to make decisions faster. In this particular case, we have the SLMs and LLMs," he said.
General Dwivedi said these technologies help optimise the use of resources and improve operational efficiency on the battlefield. Highlighting the growing use of drones in military operations, the Army Chief said armed forces must be equipped with both offensive and defensive drone capabilities. He added that automation and AI are becoming indispensable in handling the scale and complexity of modern warfare.
"The two languages help us take decisions faster... Rationalisation of resources, application of resources -- all of this becomes much faster in today's world. In today's environment, we also have numerous drones coming. Now, you need counter-drone equipment, and you need to apply your own drones. Therefore, the resources present on the battlefield are enormous. To handle such resources, you need some kind of automation, and artificial intelligence plays a very pivotal role," he said.
Earlier in the day, COAS Dwivedi reviewed the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 150th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at the tri-services academy campus in Khadakwasla, Pune, marking the commissioning of 355 cadets into the Indian Armed Forces.
The grand ceremony was held at the Khetarpal Parade Ground, where the graduating cadets marched past in a display of military precision and discipline before joining the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The event held special significance as General Dwivedi, an alumnus of the NDA's 65th Course, returned to his alma mater as the reviewing Officer.
The Army Chief underwent training at the Charlie Squadron as a cadet before embarking on a distinguished military career and eventually becoming Chief of the Indian Army.
The homecoming of the Army Chief served as an inspiration for the graduating cadets, reflecting a journey from the academy's training grounds to the highest office in the service through dedication, leadership and commitment to the nation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 150th Course convocation ceremony, Battalion Cadet Captain (BCC) Sushant Varma of 'P' Squadron, who secured the first position in the Social Science stream, credited the NDA environment of his academic growth.
"I was an average kid in academics. After coming to NDA, I have started focusing on the basics," Varma said.
J Squadron Cadet Ranvijay Tyagi, who topped the Computer Science stream, expressed gratitude to his parents and seniors for their support throughout his journey.
"I thank my parents for inculcating this habit of learning in me since school time. I took the help of my seniors and took guidance from them. I am able to achieve this with their help," Tyagi said.
The iconic Full Dress Rehearsal Parade at the Khetarpal Parade Ground on May 28 was reviewed by the Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, AVSM, NM.
The highlight of the parade was the flypast showcasing the precision and aerial prowess of the Indian Armed Forces. Operating out of Air Force Station Lohegaon, the aerial display featured Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets, Chetak Helicopters, Sarang Helicopter Aerobatics Team, and Akashganga Skydiving Team.