Wed Nov 13 07:16:01 UTC 2024: ## AI and Robotics to Revolutionize Warfare: CDS Warns of Machine-on-Machine Combat
**New Delhi:** India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan has warned that warfare is on the cusp of a dramatic shift, with the rise of robotics, hypersonic technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) leading to a future where machines fight each other.
During an interaction at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Gen Chauhan highlighted three key technological trends that will reshape combat:
* **Robotics:** The use of unmanned systems, exoskeletons for enhanced human capabilities, and automated systems will change how soldiers fight.
* **Celerity:** The rise of hypersonic weapons, advanced sensor technologies, and swarms of drones will make warfare faster and more difficult to track.
* **Extreme Automation:** AI, machine learning, and big data will enable faster and more accurate decision-making, leading to a transition from “net-centric” to “data-centric” warfare.
“Combat has always been between humans,” said Gen Chauhan, “but we are entering an era where it will be between a machine and a human, and eventually, between machines themselves.” This shift, he explained, is due to the increasing autonomy of machines and their ability to operate independently.
The CDS also highlighted how warfare has evolved from single battlefields to multi-front conflicts, a change he attributed to the introduction of railroads and telegraphs in the 19th century. He emphasized that technology plays a crucial role in shaping warfare, both in how it is designed and how it is used.
Gen Chauhan acknowledged the ongoing conflicts in Europe and West Asia, stating that India has maintained strategic autonomy and responded effectively to these situations. He also announced that the Indian armed forces are planning to integrate the Coast Guard and Assam Rifles into their operations this year, followed by future integration of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for enhanced communication and medical support.
The CDS’s statements underline the urgency of adapting to the evolving landscape of warfare, where technological advancements will continue to redefine the battleground. As machines become increasingly sophisticated, the need for strategic planning and ethical considerations regarding autonomous warfare will only grow more pressing.
First Piper 