Mhow: Under the aegis of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow organised a seminar on “Networking and Data Centricity”, highlighting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven warfare and integrated military operations on Friday.
The seminar, held as part of the Army’s observance of 2026 as the “Year of Networking and Data Centricity”, brought together senior military officers, defence experts and technology specialists to deliberate on the future of warfare in an increasingly interconnected battlespace.
Col Manojit Sinha of FCTS & IT wing of MCTE, in his opening address, gave the outline of the seminar, following which the Deputy Commandant Maj Gen Gautam Mahajan delivered the keynote address. Mahajan, in his address, said that the seminar is being conducted in the year designated by the Indian army as ‘Year of Networking and Data Centricity’. He also talked about the protection of data centres, citing examples of conflicts going on in West Asia, where data centres were amongst the first targets. Giving example of a veteran officer, Mahajan said that Google search is not enough, books are important and always better.
This was followed by two technical sessions focusing on the role of advanced communication networks, artificial intelligence, secure data systems and emerging technologies in future combat operations, were held.
The first session was on ‘Data Dominance in Multi-Domain Warfare, and the speakers in this session were Maj R Sushil Iyer, Maj Gourav Prashar and Maj Devendra Kumar. The speakers examined the growing importance of data as a strategic military asset. Speakers underlined how smart data fusion, real-time situational awareness and integrated information systems are transforming operational effectiveness across land, air, maritime, cyber and space domains. In this session, experts observed that data-centric warfare capabilities are increasingly enabling commanders to make faster and more informed decisions in complex operational environments.
The second session was on ‘Network Centricity in Multi-Domain Battlespace,’and the speakers in this session were Lt Col Vikrant Awasthi, Maj Gaurav Verma and Lt Col Rahul Singh. They spoke on Dynamics of network centricity in modern battlespace, Tri- services integrated network architecture for joint multi-domain operations and Military- civil fusion in network centric warfare. The speakers in this session focused on the need for seamless connectivity, secure communication grids and interoperable operational networks in future warfare scenarios.
MCTE Commandant Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi was the chief guest of the event. In his address, he stressed the need for continuous innovation, technological preparedness and institutional adaptability to effectively address emerging security challenges.
Brig MS Randhawa, Brig Deven Makhija, Brig Santosh Rana along with other senior officers of MCTE and student officers were present during the event.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
