PUNE: Military leaders of the Indian armed forces need to take inspiration from ancient scriptures to develop indigenous tactics, operational art and strategy for combat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan said on Saturday.
These concepts might appear irrelevant in today’s technology-driven warfare and at a time when the third revolution in military affairs (RMA) is in place, he said.”Presently, we have conditions to think in one way. We must use the ancient texts and stratagems as inspiration to rediscover ourselves. I strongly advocate that our ancient scriptures should be a source of inspiration for us to formulate our war stratagems to carve out a niche in military affairs,” he added.
General Chauhan unveiled a book, ‘Artificial Intelligence and National Security’ at the Defence Literature Festival, “Kalam and Kavach”, at Southern Command, in association with the Pentagon Press, the festival organiser.
The top military officer of the Indian Armed forces highlighted how ancient wisdom from texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita is relevant to today’s warfare strategic needs.
“India, at some point in time, was master in astrology, physics, medical, astronomy, science and mathematics. Deep learning was part of our DNA. That has not changed. So, we can regain our ancient stratagem to develop our grand strategy and diplomacy,” he added.
General Chauhan also emphasized on the timeless relevance of dharma in Indian scriptures, underscoring the principles of duty, righteousness, and moral balance.
“Civilization’s strategic thoughts are shaped by various factors, such as geography, historical experience. The Indian civilization draws its strength from 5,000 years of heritage. Countless lessons from Indian history serve as the foundation for strategic thinking. Ancient Indian texts encapsulate this wisdom and serve as repositories of knowledge,” said Chauhan.
A change in mindset will leapfrog the rest of the world, “and this mindset change is what our ancient wisdom will drive us and make it relevant,” he added.
General Chauhan, while addressing senior and retired armed forces personnel, said, “The armed forces of the world are on the cusp of a great change in the third revolution in military affairs (RMA). The Indian armed forces got left behind in the first and the second RMA like it got left behind by the industrial revolution.” “So, what we are trying to do is to catch up with this by ushering in the first and the second RMA. That means if there is an aero engine which we don’t have, we are rushing to obtain that particular technology,” he added.
The only way we can catch up with advanced nations is by trying and entering the third RMA along with them, General Chauhan said. “For that, we will require a lot of imagination and an innovative approach. And I have been advocating that this would be an RMA, which would not be led by technology but by tactics. So that is the choice before us.”
Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh stressed on adapting ancient strategies to counter modern threats and challenges.
These concepts might appear irrelevant in today’s technology-driven warfare and at a time when the third revolution in military affairs (RMA) is in place, he said.”Presently, we have conditions to think in one way. We must use the ancient texts and stratagems as inspiration to rediscover ourselves. I strongly advocate that our ancient scriptures should be a source of inspiration for us to formulate our war stratagems to carve out a niche in military affairs,” he added.
General Chauhan unveiled a book, ‘Artificial Intelligence and National Security’ at the Defence Literature Festival, “Kalam and Kavach”, at Southern Command, in association with the Pentagon Press, the festival organiser.
The top military officer of the Indian Armed forces highlighted how ancient wisdom from texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita is relevant to today’s warfare strategic needs.
“India, at some point in time, was master in astrology, physics, medical, astronomy, science and mathematics. Deep learning was part of our DNA. That has not changed. So, we can regain our ancient stratagem to develop our grand strategy and diplomacy,” he added.
General Chauhan also emphasized on the timeless relevance of dharma in Indian scriptures, underscoring the principles of duty, righteousness, and moral balance.
“Civilization’s strategic thoughts are shaped by various factors, such as geography, historical experience. The Indian civilization draws its strength from 5,000 years of heritage. Countless lessons from Indian history serve as the foundation for strategic thinking. Ancient Indian texts encapsulate this wisdom and serve as repositories of knowledge,” said Chauhan.
A change in mindset will leapfrog the rest of the world, “and this mindset change is what our ancient wisdom will drive us and make it relevant,” he added.
General Chauhan, while addressing senior and retired armed forces personnel, said, “The armed forces of the world are on the cusp of a great change in the third revolution in military affairs (RMA). The Indian armed forces got left behind in the first and the second RMA like it got left behind by the industrial revolution.” “So, what we are trying to do is to catch up with this by ushering in the first and the second RMA. That means if there is an aero engine which we don’t have, we are rushing to obtain that particular technology,” he added.
The only way we can catch up with advanced nations is by trying and entering the third RMA along with them, General Chauhan said. “For that, we will require a lot of imagination and an innovative approach. And I have been advocating that this would be an RMA, which would not be led by technology but by tactics. So that is the choice before us.”
Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh stressed on adapting ancient strategies to counter modern threats and challenges.