Defence Forces Must Maintain Highest Level Of Operational Readiness, With Focus On Domain Awareness, Cyber Resilience & Information Integrity To Counter Emerging Threats: Raksha Mantri At Air Force Station, Bagdogra

Key Highlights:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh urged Defence Forces to maintain highest operational readiness, focusing on domain awareness, cyber resilience, and information integrity.
• The address was delivered to Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Air Force Station, Bagdogra, West Bengal, on November 7, 2026.
• He highlighted emerging threats like asymmetric warfare, cyber-attacks, drone swarms, and information operations.
• The Cabinet approved the 'Second Tour of Duty' for Agniveers, offering them another opportunity to serve the nation.
• Agniveers completing two years can be enrolled as regular soldiers based on willingness and selection criteria.
• Emphasized the strategic importance of Bagdogra for the North-Eastern region's security.

Detailed Insights:

• The security landscape is increasingly complex, with warfare extending beyond conventional borders to include non-traditional threats.
• Adversaries often exploit vulnerabilities through misleading information on social media, requiring soldiers to counter narrative management.
• Bagdogra serves as a crucial link in India's security framework, particularly for the North-Eastern region.
• The Raksha Mantri stressed the importance of discipline, courage, and strong engagement with local communities to counter adversary conspiracies.
• He reaffirmed the government's resolve for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence, noting the growing contribution of Indian start-ups in advanced military equipment.
• The decision on Agniveers reflects the government's commitment to their welfare and provides a clear career path.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Operational Readiness: The state of being prepared for immediate military action or deployment.
• Cyber Resilience: The ability of an organization or system to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyber-attacks.
• Information Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and trustworthiness of information throughout its lifecycle.
• Agniveers: Youth recruited into the Indian Armed Forces under the Agnipath scheme for a short service tenure.