Defense Minister Rajnath Singh urged naval personnel to be prepared for emerging security challenges. He said that the nature of war is changing rapidly and future threats will be more complex, hence it is important to master new technologies.
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday urged Indian Navy personnel to be prepared for changing security challenges by mastering emerging technologies. He said the nature of war is changing rapidly and future threats are likely to become even more complex.
Future threats will be more complex
Addressing Indian Navy personnel during the Barakhana at the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters in Visakhapatnam, Singh said, “I want to tell you one thing very clearly: the times ahead are not easy. The challenges we are facing today in the defense sector will increase in the future. They will not only increase but will also become more complex.”
He said the nature of war is changing rapidly and noted that conflicts may be fought without formal declaration, while future adversaries may take forms different from those seen in the past. Expressing confidence in the armed forces, Singh said the Indian troops have embraced every challenge over the years and urged the personnel to understand, learn, adopt and master new technologies. He said the government will make every possible effort to provide the best weapons, technology and resources to the armed forces.
Strategic importance of Indian Ocean region
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, the Defense Minister said that preparedness and regular training will help minimize sacrifices and losses in times of war. “The more preparation and practice there is, the less sacrifices and losses there will be during times of war,” Singh said.
He said more than 90 percent of India’s trade, including energy supplies, oil and gas, passes through these sea routes in the Indian Ocean region, making it vital for the country’s economy and future. According to Singh, the region is becoming increasingly complex with the growing presence and activities of extra-regional powers, creating a new strategic competition.
He said many countries are trying to increase their influence in the region and stressed that as the largest and most responsible power in the Indian Ocean region, India remains the primary guarantor of peace and stability. Expressing confidence in the Navy, the Defense Minister said that he is confident that its personnel will continue to face future challenges and convert them into opportunities.
Earlier in the day, Singh was welcomed at INS Dega by Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishik Kishore, Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi and Visakhapatnam North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju. He is going to dedicate INS Mahendragiri to the nation on Saturday. (ANI)
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