EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE FOR MODERNIZATION OF ARMED FORCES – A CONSORTIUM APPROACH
BY LT GEN DR ANIL KAPOOR,AVSM, VSM (RETIRED)
- The Revolution in Military Affairs, so pronounced during the Gulf Wars, was driven by war scenes being witnessed in the living rooms relayed from the battlefield. But that was based on the technological revolution of 1990s through till Y2K. Both technology driving revolution and nature of warfare have undergone significant changes, since then, over the past two decades. Powered by digital transformation, the Unmanned Autonomous Systems based tech world order is defined by the robotic digital warrior, popularly known as robot humanoid, unmanned autonomous combat systems, tethered drones as Quasi Satellites, and payloads defined by niche disruptive technologies which impact the entire bandwidth of military activities be it info gathering, intelligence, recce, surveillance, communication, weapons, defensive and offensive operations transcending space, time and endurance; logistics and supply chain, decision support, command and control systems. Further, the spectrum of conflict has enhanced from land, sea, air to cyber, space, psychological (Informational / mis-informational) and hybrid. In an overall analysis, the disruptive technologies, with or without man in the loop, is about enhancing velocity of OODA loop, as the driver of decisive proactive actions, as a Tri Service visage. This has led to a Disruption in Military Affairs and has ushered an era with the concept that “Victory is measured by Technology Footprint”, with digital transformation and unmanned autonomy as key drivers, for all those of us who would still like to believe that ‘Victory is measured by the Foot’.
- The New Tech World Order is defined by Four Ds – data, digitisation, digitalisation and disruption. While these have fueled digital transformation globally giving rise to a large number of dual use technologies which are drivers of automation & autonomous applications, it is disruption which is not only transforming technologies at an unprecedented pace, but also transforming warfare concepts, designs, processes and practices. And while oil is being touted as the New Oil, technology is the New Oil Refinery. India has harnessed this digital transformation and created agility in Bharat – Gati Shakti multifaceted National Master Plan, roll out of 5G, e-Governance initiatives under Digital India, UDAN-RCS, BharatNet, BHIM UPI, Ayushman Bharat and of course UIDAI Aadhar are some big ticket programs which has given a technological dominance globally and promoted ease of living in India. These local for global outreach programs and many more have created ripples globally. The digital landscape and disruptive technologies need to be developed in the Armed Forces. Smart manufacturing in defence industrial bases will help in meeting surge requirements and foster better life cycle sustenance support. Innovating in the battle space is as much about tactics as it is about integrating the innovative technologies that will facilitate such tactics.
- The Armed Forces have to operate in the complete continuum of conflict spectrum from sub conventional to conventional including CBRN, grey zone and hybrid warfare activities. This threat scenario is further accentuated by cyber, electronics warfare and unmanned autonomous system threats which have generated a technology and counter technology capability development race in the contact kinetic and non contact non kinetic domains. There is a dire need to be prepared for a multi domain, multi dimensional threat and create hardened structures for defensive deployments, warehouses and futuristic weapon platforms. Further, there is a need to prepare secure net centric digital military infrastructure comprising data centres, cloud, networking sensors, application software to achieve C7I2S2R Decision Support System,
- The talk and discussions would hinge upon the following:
- Comprehension of future operational challenges, power of technology and data driven ops and integrate software defined infrastructure including Artificial Intelligence to create digitally enabled innovative solutions into the battle space of tomorrow.
- The need for whole of Nation consortium approach shall also be dwelt upon to create a framework for meeting aspirations of the Armed Forces in the continuum of time.
Speaker Biodata –
BIO DATA OF LT GEN DR ANIL KAPOOR, AVSM, VSM (RETIRED)
Lt Gen Dr Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM superannuated as Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers strategically leading the landscape of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and technology and innovation management of the complete plethora of equipment of the Indian Army. Prior to this appointment he was the Director General Information Systems, where he steered the information systems management, digital technology transformation and net centricity of the million strong Indian Army as a Tri Service Program. He has also been on two UN peacekeeping assignments. He was Senior Logistics Officer in UN Mission in Angola (1995) and Deputy Chief Integrated Support Services in UN Mission in Sudan (2008) and actively participated in the war zone in Op Vijay (Kargil -1999), Op Parakram (2001-02) and Op Snow Leopard (Eastern Ladakh 2020) during his military career. Post retirement, he served as Director General Amity University where he established Amity Institute of Defence Technology and formulated Ph D and M Tech Programs in Defence Technology. Presently, he is a Board Member of the Technology Innovation Hub Governing Body IIT Tirupati. He is also a Professor of Practice at IIT Tirupati and Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. He has been nominated as the Vice President and Chairman National Advisory Committee Asset Management Society India. The General is a qualified Master Class Independent Director and member of Institute of Directors and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. Has been guiding Start Ups and entrepreneurs in building a robust culture of innovation, technology and business development.
With over 42 years of professional experience, he is extremely proficient in leading large-scale technology, ICT and Information Systems projects, Big Data analytics and AI, management of technology transition, combat force regeneration, MRO and life cycle sustenance support. Adept at steering public policies given his diverse experience in operations he has been a part of a number of initiatives on supply chain and logistics, procurement, contracts, DAP 2020 formulation while in Service and post retirement to steer perspective issues on force modernisation, industry engagement and shaping technical minds for the future.
An accomplished thought leader with a proven track record, he has been acknowledged for his capabilities in delivering innovative, effective technical and engineering products and services. In a first of its kind, he conceptualised and drove a Life Cycle Sustenance Support Philosophy and Practices for Digital Era, Exercise Vishwakarma for technical skill development and a Lab to Market (Field Army) Strategy for innovative products and MRO best practices in the Army. A Chartered Engineer, he was awarded the Eminent Engineer Award 2020 on 15 Sep 2020 by the Institution of Engineers, India for outstanding professional contributions in engineering and displaying technical brilliance.
The General is a Gold Medalist both in B Tech (Electronics) and Master of Engineering (Mechanical) with an expertise in Radars & Guided Missiles and M Phil in Strategic Management of Technology. He has been awarded the Ph D for his thesis in Defence Industrial Base as a Key Determinant of Capability Building and Capacity Development of India. The General Officer is also recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM 2004) for outstanding professional performance in Operation Parakram and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2020 by the President of India for professional contributions as DGEME & DGIS.
The General is a prolific writer and an international speaker. Has been a keynote and invited speaker at Lulea University of Technology Sweden & CSR Conclave of IOD. He is on the Advisory Committee of Processing, Fabrication and Advanced Materials International Conference, Indian Society for Training & Development, Kolkata Chapter, Tech Observer India, Engineering Council Of India, to name a few. He speaks on Global MRO Mosaic of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Industrial Automation to Industrial Autonomy, NextGen Asset Management & MRO, Preventive Periodic Management to Predictive Prescriptive Maintenance, Life Cycle Sustenance Support, UN SDGs, Technology Sovereignty, CSR, Entrepreneurship and Start Up Eco system, Design Thinking and Learning to Think Strategically.
E Mail anilkapoor2012@yahoo.co.in
www.linkedin.com/in/lt-general-anil-kapoor
Cell 00918715823399
