Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Calls for Joint, Future-Ready Armed Forces at DSSC Convocation

Wellington, Tamil Nadu: In a powerful address at the Convocation Ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh urged the Armed Forces to operate jointly and be future-ready in today’s rapidly evolving multi-domain environment. Highlighting cyber, space, and information warfare as equally potent as conventional operations, he called for a paradigm shift in the strategic military outlook to meet emerging challenges.

“The Armed Forces must not only keep pace with technological changes but also lead them,” said the Defence Minister, underlining the Narendra Modi-led government’s commitment to transforming India’s military into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of integrated multi-domain operations.

Rajnath Singh pointed to a global geopolitical landscape being redefined by three powerful trends — increased focus on national security, a technological tsunami, and rapid innovation. He encouraged officers to stay ahead of the curve by closely studying these changes and adopting strategic foresight.

Citing real-world lessons from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Minister highlighted how drones have emerged as transformative tools in warfare, inflicting major damage beyond conventional artillery or armour. He also noted the strategic significance of space-based assets in revolutionizing military intelligence, surveillance, positioning, and communications.

Touching upon the current realities of Grey Zone and Hybrid Warfare, the Raksha Mantri stressed that cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic disruption have become instruments of power projection without direct conflict. He warned that India continues to face persistent threats along its borders, made more complex by proxy wars and terrorism from neighbouring regions.

He also drew attention to non-traditional threats such as natural disasters and climate change, asserting that India’s Armed Forces must evolve to remain relevant and effective. “The vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 rests firmly on two foundational pillars — Surakshit Bharat and Sashakt Bharat,” he emphasized.

Reaffirming India’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Raksha Mantri said, “Building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence ecosystem is not an option, but a strategic necessity.” He called for low-cost, high-tech solutions to enhance combat capabilities and stressed synergy across all domains — diplomatic, informational, military, economic, and technological — as part of a ‘Whole of Nation’ approach to national security.

Rajnath Singh also invoked Prime Minister Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), asserting that challenges of the modern world are best met through collective efforts and mutual cooperation. “Increased connectivity and shared interests will help nations tackle regional and global challenges more effectively,” he said.

Addressing the 479 officers participating in the 80th Staff Course — including 38 from 26 friendly nations — Singh urged them to embrace five guiding principles: Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility, and Ambassadorship. He encouraged them to become agents of change and role models within society, capable of leveraging technology, adapting to unforeseen scenarios, and demonstrating innovative leadership.

Earlier in the day, the Raksha Mantri laid a wreath at the Madras Regiment War Memorial, paying homage to fallen heroes. He also interacted with veterans, acknowledging their lasting contributions to the nation. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other senior military officials were present at the event.

The DSSC, established in 1948, stands as a premier tri-service institution imparting professional military education to mid-level officers from India and friendly countries. With over 19,000 Indian officers and 2,000 international officers among its alumni — many of whom have gone on to lead their nations’ armed forces or governments — the institution remains a cornerstone of India’s defence education ecosystem.