In a key development in India’s defence innovation journey, Lt Col Akshat Upadhyay, a serving officer with the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has presented his newly released book, Emerging Frontiers: Technology Absorption in the Indian Army, to General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff. The presentation reflects the growing momentum to embed next-generation technologies into India’s military strategy.
The book delves into how civilian-origin technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, and quantum computing are transforming global warfare. Drawing on case studies from countries like the United States, Israel, and Ukraine, and conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas clashes, Upadhyay calls for sweeping reforms in India’s defence innovation ecosystem. He argues for empowering soldiers not only as combatants but also as co-creators and tech-savvy strategists.
General Chauhan, India’s second Chief of Defence Staff since 2022, accepted the book as a reflection of the armed forces’ dedication to fostering technological fluency. The presentation aligns with national initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), which has supported more than 300 defence-tech startups since its inception in 2018, signaling a significant shift toward homegrown innovation.
The book’s release comes amid evolving global military doctrines that increasingly prioritize technological superiority. Recent studies, including a 2023 Royal United Services Institute report, underscore the decisive role of drones and autonomous systems in modern warfare. Similarly, a 2022 RAND Corporation analysis highlighted that Israel’s integration of tech training into soldier education boosted urban warfare efficiency by nearly 30 percent.
Emerging Frontiers is expected to spark critical conversations on how the Indian Army can become more agile, adaptive, and tech-enabled in an era of rapidly advancing threats.
