Recorded on 19th July, 2023 at 7.30 PM (IST) and 10 AM (Boston , MA, US)
Introduction of topic
If there is one theme that is at the centre of all the strategic discourses in India today it is “Technology”. The aspect that is being deliberated most is – how India can become Atmanirbhar in Technology.
As far as Atmanirbharta (self-dependent) in defence technology is concerned there is a lot of anticipation in the air. PM Modi’s American and French visits recently has generated a great deal of enthusiasm in the minds of those dealing with this subject in India. Euphoria, positivity, and sense of purpose has smitten the Indian private defence sector and hi-tech business community as well.
Honorable Prime Minister Mr Modi’s policy of Atmanirbharta in defence production and a slew of path breaking announcement made after his above two historic visits has infused new sense of energy into this debate.
The question every defence analysts asks is – can a nation hope to become a global power of any reckoning with borrowed technology or imported defence equipment ? Answer is an emphatic NO.
US, Russia and China today occupy the top slot in the global power matrix not because they have huge defence budget or because they have a large inventory of advance weapon systems or because they have the largest standing armies in the world , but because their defence technology and their defence equipment are their own . For their self defence, they are not dependent on others. The technology they use to produce their Fifth and sixth generation weapon systems are predominantly their own . Their indigenous industry produces them using their own home grown technologies.
Numerically, Indian military is considered the Fourth most powerful armies in the world. So does its Airforce and Navy.
But in the global power matrix numerical strength does not matter much. A nation wielding full spectrum power must stand on its own feet technologically, economically, demographically and must have its own manufacturing that is based on resilient supply chains and unhindered access to mineral resources.
Therefore, it will be instructive to know accurately, what is the level of self-sufficiency of India in defence technology at land, sea, air, space, and digital dimensions vis a vis developed nations ? If the gap is wide, how India is going to close that gap ? What are the pitfalls in this journey ? How long will it take to bridge this gap by India developing, acquiring, absorbing and finally mastering these futuristic technologies ? What should be our reasonable strategy and reasonable expectations in this area ? To discuss these questions and many more , we have with us today former Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering of the Indian Army , Lt Gen Anil Kapoor . General Kapoor will be joining us for this conversation from Boston, USA. However, before we start our conversation with him, let me for those, who do not know him, share his brilliant professional background.
Introduction of Speaker
Lt Gen (Dr) Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM superannuated as Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, where he had led the entire landscape of technology management and maintenance repair and overhaul activities called the MRO of the Indian Army . He had also been the Director General of the Information Systems, where he steered the information systems management, digital transformation & net centricity of the million strong Indian Army.
He had the privilege to being on two UN peacekeeping assignments in Angola (1995) and UN Mission in Sudan (2008-10).
General Dr Kapoor is basically a Radar and Missiles Expert and was a key member of the DRDO Integrated Guided Missiles Development Program. Post retirement he became the Director General of Amity Institute of Defence Technology where he formulated their Ph D and M Tech Programs in Defence Technology. Currently he is a Board Member of the Technology Innovation Hub Governing Body IIT Tirupati & a Professor of Practice at IIT Tirupati. Have been nominated as the Vice President & Chairman National Advisory Committee Asset Management Society India. He is a qualified Master Class Independent Director & member of Institute of Directors & Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
A gold medallist in B Tech & Mater of Engg Programs Gen (Dr) Kapoor is a prolific writer & an avid international speaker on MRO Mosaic of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Industrial Automation to Industrial Autonomy, Humanizing Assets, Technology Sovereignty, Design Thinking, Corporate Lessons from Military Leadership & Learning to Think Strategically. As a Chartered Engineer he is the recipient of the Eminent Engineer Award 2020 from The Institution of Engineers.
Hope he will touch upon the latest military technological innovations and researches going on in the world, utilisation of AI in modern warfare and comparatively India’s standing in this field and prospects for Indian techonologists.