Rajnath Singh Urges Cadets to Be Future-Ready for Technology-Driven Warfare
Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Rajnath Singh said modern warfare is being shaped by technologies such as drones, satellites, sensors, robotics and radar systems.
Hyderabad: Calling upon young officers to prepare for the changing nature of warfare, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday urged graduating cadets of the Indian Air Force to remain technologically adept and mentally prepared for future conflicts, where battles are increasingly being fought through advanced systems rather than conventional troop deployments.
Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Rajnath Singh said modern warfare is being shaped by technologies such as drones, satellites, sensors, robotics and radar systems.
A total 231 of Flight Cadets graduated today, which included 194 men and 37 women and added 14 officers awarded with wings.
“In today’s wars, soldiers and weapons are often not visible on the battlefield. Modern conflicts are driven by technology. You must remain alert, adaptable and ready to recalibrate your responses according to emerging technologies,” he said.
Emphasising the need for continuous learning, the Defence Minister advised the cadets to adapt, adopt and innovate to gain an operational edge. “Success in future warfare will require smart work backed by technology. Learning and training should continue throughout your careers,” he said.
Rajnath Singh reviewed the parade marking the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of Flight Cadets across various branches of the Indian Air Force. During the ceremony, he conferred the President’s Commission on 231 graduating trainees and presented 14 offficers with Wings and Brevets to Flight Cadets of the IAF, officers and trainees of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Congratulating the graduating officers, Singh recalled the Indian Air Force’s contributions in past conflicts, including the 1947-48 operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the 1971 war, and said the young officers were joining a force with a proud legacy.
The ceremony also marked the commissioning of the first batch of women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, who joined AFA for branch-specific training after passing out in May 2025.
The parade featured aerial displays by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, Sarang helicopter display team and Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, besides fly-pasts by trainer aircraft including the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh led the fly-past contingent.
