Pune: Deputy chief of integrated defence staff (IDS) Lieutenant General PJS Pannu on Sunday said inclusion of technology in military training is imperative to fight modern warfare effectively.Lt Gen Pannu was the chief guest at a seminar titled Military Robotics and Autonomous Systems, organized by the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) at Khadakwasla.“The armed forces will have to incorporate more technology in its training from the beginning to produce ‘tech savvy’ officers. Introduction of the BTech course at National Defence Academy was a crucial step as more officers will be qualified in technology,” Lt Gen Pannu told TOI on Sunday.The officer, who is also the Colonel of Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) regiment, said insertion of technology at regimental centres will take place gradually as troops are now qualified. He stated that the armed forces will have to strive hard to keep abreast with latest technologies to achieve military objectives.“Considering varied terrains and different geographical conditions in India, researchers must produce technology that can meet our operational requirements. It is necessary to work in tandem with academia, scientists and industry to create an ecosystem to build the required defence technology,” Pannu added. He pointed out that curbing of excessive utilization and deployment on modern technology, such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) embedded equipment, would be a daunting task for the military across the globe.“International bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and other organizations will have to decide how much robotics and automotive machinery will be allowed to be deployed in battlefields. If a machine makes any human right violation, who will be responsible? Because you cannot charge the machine legally as there is no legal provision yet in this regard,” Pannu added. At the equipment exhibition, private industries and the Defence Research and Development Organisation displayed robots, unmanned aerial vehicle, etc. Armed forces officers from the MILIT and College of Military Engineering attended the event.

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