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'Boots must share space with bots': Army chief Gen Dwivedi stresses readiness for 5th-gen conflicts; inaugurates 'Agnishodh' to boost defence innovation

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NEW DELHI: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the Indian armed forces are fully prepared to handle fifth-generation warfare marked by non-contact combat, strategic tempo and psychological dominance, emphasising that the nature of modern warfare demands integration of conventional power with emerging technologies.

Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Gen Dwivedi described future battlefields as ones “where boots must share space with bots.”

He was addressing a session on ‘ Operation Sindoor – A New Chapter in India’s Fight Against Terrorism’, and used the occasion to highlight India’s evolving military doctrine and readiness.

Describing Operation Sindoor as a turning point, Gen Dwivedi said it was an “intelligence-driven response that redefined India’s counter-terrorism doctrine.”

As per news agency PTI, he stated that the 88-hour tri-services operation was “unprecedented in scale, range, depth and strategic impact,” compelling Pakistan to seek a ceasefire within that window. He said it was executed across the DIME spectrum, referring to diplomatic, informational, military and economic efforts.

During his two-day visit to Chennai, the army chief also inaugurated ‘ Agnishodh ’, a dedicated Indian Army Research Cell at IIT-Madras to promote indigenous defence innovations. As per a press release, this initiative forms part of the Army’s ‘Five Pillars of Transformation’, particularly focusing on modernisation and technology infusion.

Gen Dwivedi underscored the military’s commitment to self-reliance through collaborations under national technology missions like ‘INDIAai’, ‘Chip-to-Startup’, and ‘Project QuILA’, with Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow, as a strategic partner.

According to PTI, he also appreciated innovation-led efforts of Indian Army cells at institutions such as IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur and IISc-Bengaluru. He noted that programmes like Project SAMBHAV and additive manufacturing partnerships with Army Base Workshops are “setting new benchmarks” in applied defence technology.

Calling the IIT-Madras collaboration a landmark step, he said ‘Agnishodh’ would convert academic excellence into battlefield innovation and bolster the goal of ‘ Viksit Bharat by 2047 ’.

During the event, the Army Chief also honoured four decorated ex-servicemen with Veteran Achievers Awards, recognising their service and continued contributions to nation-building, the official statement added.
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