Army raises elite unit to work on critical tech development as nature of warfare changes

The elite unit will focus on all upcoming critical technology domains including electronic exchanges, mobile communications, software defined radios, electronic warfare systems, 5G and 6G networks, quantum technologies, AI, machine learning, etc.

New Delhi: The Indian Army has raised an elite unit to carry out cutting edge research on futuristic technologies like 6G communication, artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing for military use in view of the shifting warfare dynamics.

The Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) is mandated to nurture technologies spanning the complete spectrum of wired and wireless systems.

Its raising on March 6 was a part of the army's effort to develop technologies for the battlefields of the future, defence ministry sources told DH.

The new unit comes amidst Indian Army’s decision to celebrate 2024 as the year of technology absorption with specific goals like having a secured mobile network within the army and establishing a collaboration with IIT Madras on comm tech.

Last year the army had operationalised the command cyber security units – named command cyber operation and support wings - at command headquarters.

"The STEAG will be a premier organisation, the first of its kind equipped with the capability to harness niche technology, leverage cutting-edge solutions and identify suitable cases for defence applications by fostering collaboration with academia and industry," an official said.

Some of the other niche areas on which the STEAG will work include electronic exchanges, software defined radios, terrain specific electronic warfare systems, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

For a long time, Chief of the Army Staff Manoj Pande has been underlining the need to develop new systems, processes and technologies in-house besides buying a few from abroad as the nature of war-fighting transforms across the world.

"Aligning itself with the tenets of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Start-Up India, STEAG will help bridge the divide between the armed forces on the one hand and industry and academia on the other," an official said on condition of anonymity.

The new Centre of Excellence would be a game changer in fostering self-reliance in high-end communication technologies, an official said, noting that some of the technologies were the monopoly of a few countries.

The army believes communications are going to be an important component of military operations. "In the fast-evolving technologies for the battlefield, the side with better communication technologies and the ability to connect different data points will have an edge over its adversary," another official said.

The hi-tech unit will carry out technical scouting, evaluation, development, management of core ICT solutions, and provide user interface support by maintenance and upgradation of contemporary technologies available in the environment, the official added.

The Army believes communications are going to be an important component of military operations. "To imbibe such advancements in technology, the Indian Army has raised this groundbreaking technology-oriented unit STEAG which will bolster its capabilities in the digital domain," the official added.

(With PTI inputs)