With the nature of warfare changing rapidly, the Army is looking to hire three-types of domain experts — to tackle cyber threats; for information technology for using ‘information’ and ‘disinformation’ as a means of war. Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor Deputy…

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

With the nature of warfare changing rapidly, the Army is looking to hire three-types of domain experts — to tackle cyber threats; for information technology for using ‘information’ and ‘disinformation’ as a means of war.

Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor Deputy Chief, Information Systems and Coordination, said modern technology is changing the character of conflict.

“We are going to recruit domain experts in cyber war, information technology and information warfare. These will be regular officers and soldiers,” he said. The Army is working out what is the level of education and skills needed for these future recruits. The programme is planned to kick off next year, the General added.

Sources said the Army is looking at post graduates in specific technologies to be recruited as officers. In case of jawans the recruitment level would be graduation in a specified sector. These recruits would dop this work only and be attached to various formations.

“Last year, a small number technical experts were recruited under the Territorial Army. They are doing a very fine job,” he added.“We are also looking to have more mandarin speakers,” he added.

The Army is looking to absorb available technologies and 16 types of technologies have been identified for indigenous development.

These include cyber, space , quantum computing , 5G and 6G communication, directed energy weapons, artificial intelligence, drones, counter drones, unmanned autonomous systems, loitering ammunitions, 3D printing and robotics benchmarks have been approved for these technologies, the Army is willing to partner with anyone from industry or the academia.

“We are evolving in real time,” said General Kapoor adding that we are re-orienting and reorganising to match technology needs.

To sustain in wars home-grown technology is needed. The Army, he said had studied the Russia-Ukraine war to see what new technology can be brought to battle.

One of the mandates of the Army is border tourism permissions are being facilitated. Roads are being made and communication networks are coming up.

Lt Gen Kapoor also mentioned how ‘boys sports companies’ and two girls sports companies have come up.