New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar on Monday said that as the operational environment is changing rapidly with advances in AI and autonomous systems reshaping the character of warfare, a technological advantage can be short-lived.
In his address at the inaugural ceremony of the Indian Navy’s flagship annual seminar Swavlamban 2026, he also pitched for shortening the cycle from “innovation to integration” to augment naval capabilities.
The vice admiral referred to the recent conflicts, from short-term engagements to protracted ones, including the conflict in Ukraine, and emphasised how drone production in the country has grown manifold in the last several years.
“The operational environment is changing rapidly with advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and cyber capabilities, reshaping the character of warfare, and in such a scenario a technological advantage can be short-lived,” he said.
He also emphasised that shortening the cycle from innovation to integration merits continued attention.
The Navy is hosting the fifth edition of its flagship seminar at the Manekshaw Centre here on October 26 and 27.
Vice Admiral Kochhar said it was his expectation that the seminar would help strengthen existing partnerships and explore new areas of collaboration. He added that it will translate ingenuity into “meaningful capabilities at sea”.
Secretary, defence production in the Ministry of Defence, Sanjeev Kumar, in his address urged all stakeholders to work together to bolster efforts towards greater “atmanirbharta (self-reliance)” in defence.
Earlier, at a curtain-raiser press conference for the seminar held on October 19, the VNCS had said that the Indian Navy is seeking to develop its capabilities in all domains, from air, sea and underwater to AI and quantum technology, to become a multi-domain network force.
At the press conference, he also told the Navy’s partners in the industry and academia, “Our message is clear — bring forward disruptive solutions grounded in operational understanding, supported by sound engineering, and a commitment to reliable delivery.” PTI KND SKY
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