Wars Shifting from Hardware to Software: Rajnath Singh Urges Youth to Tackle Tech Challenges

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the increasing shift of warfare from hardware-based combat to software-driven strategies.

Addressing students at ‘Vigyan Vaibhav’ 2025, a science expo jointly organized by the DRDO, Aeronautical Society of India, and Kalam Institute of Youth Excellence, he urged young minds to train in emerging technologies and develop solutions to critical challenges.

“If you want to remain strong and secure in adverse situations, we need youth trained in these technologies who can provide solutions to the critical technological changes,” he stated at the event held at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, as part of Indian National Science Day celebrations.

National Education Policy and Its Implementation

Amid debates over the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 in some states like Tamil Nadu, Singh emphasized the joint responsibility of the Centre and states to ensure quality education for future generations.

“No child should be left without a good education, and the generations ahead must not only be future-ready but also globally ready. The onus of bringing up our younger generation as the future and globally ready must be a joint effort,” he said.

Call for Hyderabad-Bengaluru Defence Industrial Corridor

During the event, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy urged Singh to designate the Hyderabad-Bengaluru region as a Defence Industrial Corridor.

Such a move, he argued, would attract investments, increase missile production, and support the growth of startup companies in the defence sector.

DRDO’s Large-Scale Public Exhibition

For the first time, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased its technological capabilities on a grand scale.

The three-day exhibition featured state-of-the-art defence and aerospace products across 200 stalls, offering students and the general public an opportunity to witness India’s advancements in military technology.

The display included hypersonic missiles, the Arjun battle tank, short-range ballistic missiles, quick reaction surface-to-air missiles, drones, radars, and future warfare technologies. The general public could visit the exhibition on March 1 and 2 between 9 AM and 6 PM.

Encouraging Scientific Temper in Youth

Singh encouraged students to develop a scientific outlook and excel in frontier technologies by utilizing the advanced infrastructure being established in India.

“War is increasingly moving from hardware to software-oriented. New technological breakthroughs are on the horizon, and we have to take a lead in transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Machine Learning, and Clean-tech,” he remarked.

He also recalled the words of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it but use it for the betterment of society.”

The Role of Science and Technology in National Security

Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging modern technology for national security. He emphasized the importance of science education in shaping the country’s future and noted that India’s youth possess immense potential.

He stressed that the government is focused on harnessing these capabilities to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

National Science Day Theme and the New Education Policy

Discussing the New Education Policy 2020, Singh highlighted its goal to transform science education by promoting creativity, critical thinking, and innovation.

He connected this to the theme of National Science Day 2025, ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat’, calling it a reflection of India’s aspiration for global scientific leadership and technological progress.

Hyderabad’s Role in Scientific Innovation

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy emphasized Hyderabad’s long-standing status as a hub for scientific research and technological innovation.

Addressing young participants at Vigyan Vaibhav 2025, he urged them to pursue ambitious goals and embrace innovation passionately.

Highlighting Hyderabad’s role in defence manufacturing, he mentioned key establishments such as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), DRDO, Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midani), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

He stressed the need for producing skilled engineers for the defence sector alongside IT professionals.

“We are committed to supplying top engineers for the country’s defence while also contributing IT professionals globally. Hyderabad and Bengaluru are vital defence hubs, and we propose a Hyderabad-Bengaluru Defence Industrial Corridor to attract investment and boost startups like Skyroot Aerospace,” he stated.

Singh’s Visit to DRDO’s Missile Complex

Later, Singh visited DRDO’s Dr. Kalam Missile Complex, where he reviewed ongoing missile projects. He also congratulated the team responsible for the successful Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile trials conducted in November 2024.

Interacting with scientists, he commended their efforts and expressed confidence in India’s economic growth, predicting that the country would emerge as one of the top three global economies by 2027.

He urged scientists to continue integrating cutting-edge technologies while maintaining dedication and integrity.