‘Machines, humans to work in a symbiotic way,’ says Indian Air Force chief, calls for "evolved approach" to fight wars
3 min read 28 Jun 2023, 02:41 PM ISTIndian Air Force (IAF) Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari highlighted the need for the IAF to prepare future military leaders to combat future wars at a capstone seminar organized by the IAF and Centre for Air Power Studies.
PremiumIndian Air Force (IAF) Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari stressed the need for the IAF to adopt a forward-looking approach in preparing future military leaders to effectively navigate the challenges with "accelerated technology infusion" and be ready to “fight the tomorrow's wars." Speaking at a capstone seminar organized by the IAF and Centre for Air Power Studies, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari delivered a keynote address on the subject.
The seminar marked the culmination of the first Warfare and Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP), held at the Air Force Auditorium in New Delhi. The event brought together senior officers from all three Services, air power scholars, and academia from renowned think tanks and colleges across the country.
Highlighting the impact of new technologies on the revolution in military affairs, Chaudhari said “The impact of new technologies on the revolution in military affairs has made us to sit up and acknowledge the fact that new investments in military concepts would have to be made. The new ideas and organizational approaches must be preceded by an evolved approach to cerebral preparation of future military leaders."
Recognizing the technological and numerical edge of adversaries, he emphasised the significance of nurturing an intellectual edge among individuals, enabling them to outthink, outplan, and outsmart the enemy. Chaudhari suggested that focused self-learning, supported by educational institutions like the College of Air Warfare (CAW), could foster this intellectual edge. The course was organised at College of Air Warfare, IAF's premier institute for Air Power Studies
Chaudhari also emphasized the need to blend formal learning with curated self-learning programs, given the evolving nature of warfare and the growing symbiotic relationship between humans and machines. He said, “The impact of emerging technologies and the appreciation that machines and humans have to work in a symbiotic way has to be seen as a requirement." He further mentioned the potential requirement to re-educate generations of officers in the coming years to ensure everyone stays abreast of the accelerated infusion of technology.
Referring to the book "Makers of Modern Strategy: Military Thought from Machiavelli to Hitler," Chaudhari highlighted the relevance of grand strategy and the need for the military to study, analyse, and evolve strategies to effectively address future conflicts.
The Capstone Seminar served as a platform to showcase the learning objectives of the WASP and enable IAF leadership to validate the desired outcomes of the program. Participants presented papers on contemporary topics related to the application of air power in recent conflicts and the evolving doctrinal precepts that emphasise the pivotal role of air power in national security.
The WASP was conceptualized by the IAF to develop a cadre of mid-career air power practitioners equipped with strategic acumen and a profound understanding of warfare history and theory. The program aims to enhance participants' doctrinal vision and cultivate their ability to construct effective strategic arguments. It also seeks to refine their capacity to connect diverse thoughts and theories within a comprehensive whole-of-government approach to statecraft.
The WASP was conducted at the College of Air Warfare (CAW), the premier institute for Air Power Studies in the IAF.
(With inputs from ANI)
