Indian Army Day 2024: Embracing technology for National Security

Team Udayavani, Jan 15, 2024, 10:31 AM IST

Indian Army Day, celebrated on January 15 each year, marks the historic moment in 1949 when Kodandera M Cariappa became the first Indian commander-in-chief, succeeding General Francis Bucher. The theme for Indian Army Day, 2024, ‘In Service of the Nation’, reflects the Indian Army’s commitment to professionalism and the nation’s values.

This theme aligns with the Army’s motto, ‘Service before Self’, prioritizing national service and the welfare of its citizens. It underscores the Army’s role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing the sacrifices and dedication of its personnel.

This year, Army Day will be held at the historic city of Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh. This is the second time that the Army Day celebrations are being held outside the national capital since Independence. As part of the 76th Army Day celebrations, a 3-day exhibition ‘Know Your Army Festival’ has also been organized in Lucknow, showcasing various modern weapons of the Indian Army—such as tanks, artillery guns and radars. The exhibition is open to all and entry is free. The event, held at the Surya Sports Complex in Lucknow, was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday.

An officer has announced that this year’s Army Day Parade in Lucknow will, for the first time, use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to determine the best marching group. Major General Salil Seth, the parade commander, mentioned to PTI, “This is the first instance of using AI to choose the leading marching contingent. All groups execute their drills with precision.” The last Army Day Parade was held in Bengaluru on January 15.

The Indian Army, renowned for its bravery and discipline, adheres to principles where the nation’s safety and honour are paramount, followed by the well-being of the soldiers. This ethos has contributed to the Indian Army’s standing as the fourth most powerful military in the ‘Global Firepower Index’, out of 145 countries, following the US and Russia. This recognition showcases the strength and capability of the Indian Army on a global scale.

In 2024, the Indian Army plans to focus on becoming a more modern military force, calling it the ‘Year of Technology Absorption’. They aim to introduce new tactics for using drones and anti-drone systems in infantry, artillery and armoured units. Additionally, they will set up Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSWs) and work on improving areas where they are currently lagging behind.

The army is changing its approach after declaring 2023 as the ‘Year of Transformation’. This year included changes like updating its artillery, bringing in new recruits through the Agniveers programme, reducing the size of certain departments and adding more technology.

In a prelude to Army Day on January 15, Army Chief General Manoj Pande emphasized the army’s strong focus on growth, new ideas and using advanced technologies. The goal is to make the Indian Army more modern and quick to respond, with special focus on using locally made equipment and technology.

General Pande highlighted the importance of technology in driving significant changes. He stressed the army’s dedication to using technology as a key tool for transformation, tapping into internal expertise to create innovative solutions for operational and logistical needs. He also emphasized working together with the national defence industry to bring these projects to life.

General Pande also stressed the utmost importance of the nation’s interests and the crucial role of military strength in the current dynamic environment. He highlighted that the security forces were firmly committed to maintaining a stable and secure environment for the country.

A key focus of the Indian Army’s technological efforts is its venture into cyber capabilities. General Pande stated that army personnel were being trained to effectively use technology and make the most of cyberspace. This is being done through established processes, rules and technological methods.

Project SAMBHAV is at the forefront of this initiative, offering a completely secure mobile environment that operates using the latest 5G technology.

Girish Linganna

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: [email protected])

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