Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India's defence exports have surpassed a record level of Rs 21,000 crore from a mere Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago.
Addressing officers at the Army War College (AWC) here on Monday, he said the government has set a Rs 50,000 crore target for defence exports crore by 2029.
He said that the nature of warfare has undergone radical changes with unconventional methods like information warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based warfare, proxy warfare, electromagnetic warfare, space warfare, and cyber-attacks posing a big challenge.
He said that the military needs to be well-trained and equipped to fight off such attacks and lauded the training centres in Mhow for their valuable contribution.
Defence Minister Singh praised the training centers for continually updating their training curriculum in accordance with changing times and for striving to make the personnel fighting fit to take up every kind of challenge.
He wanted officers to try and explore the ways by which integration could also take place through areas as Weapons training in Infantry School, AI and communication technology at MCTE; junior and senior command under the AWC.
Again he added that the current government of Modi is firmly focusing on the strengthening the aspect of integration and jointness between the three forces in defence.
"In times to come, the three forces will be able to face challenges together in a better and more efficient manner," said defence minister Antony.
He further pointed that some officers will work in the form of defence attachés in the future as well and hence they would have to look for winning national interests at the globe level.
The Minister explained, "When you take up this post of defence attaches, you should imbibe the government's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Only through self-reliance can India strengthen its defence capabilities and gain more respect on the world stage."
The Defence Minister informed that the government is firmly committed to making India one of the strongest economic and military powers in the world.
"Economic prosperity is possible only when full attention is paid to security. Similarly, the security system will be robust only when the economy is strong. Both complement each other," he observed.
Defence Minister Singh hailed the role of armed forces in securing the borders and being the first responders during natural disasters.
AWC commandant Lt Gen HS Sahi briefed him on the role and importance of the institute in training and empowering military leaders for warfighting across the spectrum of conflict.
The defence minister was also briefed on the significant steps in training methodology through jointness in multi-domain operations, infusion of technology in training curriculum and exchange programmes being undertaken with academia, universities and industries along with training of CAPF officers, a release stated.
He was also apprised of the global footprints of the institute, achieved through training officers from friendly countries and contributing immensely towards military diplomacy.
Defence minister laid wreath and paid tribute to brave-hearts at Infantry Memorial.
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officers of the Army were also present on the occasion.
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