Army identifies 16 tech clusters for modernisation, to also induct domain specialists

The Army has decided to recruit domain specialists for Information Technology, cyber, information warfare and linguistics in its Education Corps.

Representational image of Indian Army | Commons

New Delhi: The Army has identified 16 technological clusters as part of its modernisation plans. This includes multiple programmes being pursued under each cluster with a review on a monthly basis by the hierarchy.

Along with this, the Army has decided to recruit domain specialists for information technology (IT), cyber, information warfare and linguistics in its Education Corps which has been reoriented now towards specialised domains.

“We have identified 16 clusters under which multiple programmes are being pursued through collaboration with government run companies and private firms to academia. Every month the Army chief is taking a review of these projects and set timelines have been set,” Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Indian Army, in charge of information systems and coordination, said.

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, the senior Army officer said that the timelines set a range from 3 months to 2 years depending on various aspects.

He added that officers have been made in charge of these projects and are being held accountable for the same.

The 16 technology clusters identified by the Army include Cyber, ⁠Space, ⁠Quantum, 5G/ 6G, Internet of Things, ⁠Directed Energy Weapons, Digitisation for Applications, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

They also include Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Deep Learning, RPA and Drones, Counter UAS, ⁠Unmanned Autonomous Systems, ⁠Block Chain Technology, Loitering Munitions, ⁠3D Printing and ⁠Robotics.

Noting that 2024 was the year of technology absorption, he said ideally the next decade should be about the same. He added that induction of domain specialists into the Indian Army has already commenced.

Presently, some domain specialists have already been inducted through the Territorial Army (TA) route. In future, induction of domain specialists through TA route will continue.

In addition, domain specialists will also be inducted in the Indian Army through regular recruitment routes. Advertisement for the same is expected to come out soon, he said.