Future wars may use AI, but soldiers will win them: Rajnath Singh

Visakhapatnam,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 12:01 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said future wars may be fought using Artificial Intelligence, but they will ultimately be won by national resolve, well-trained soldiers and strong conventional military capabilities, asserting that emerging technologies complement rather than replace traditional warfare.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahendragiri, the sixth and final Project 17A stealth frigate built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Singh said technological advancements have transformed warfare but have not diminished the importance of conventional military power.

"Future wars may be fought with Artificial Intelligence, but they will still be won by national resolve, trained soldiers and capable military power. New technologies and conventional platforms are not opposed to each other; they supplement and complete each other. Without conventional platforms, new technologies are incomplete in themselves," he said.

He stressed that while AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping the battlefield, the fundamental principles of war continue to rely on robust conventional capabilities.

Calling INS Mahendragiri the "concluding jewel" of MDL's Project 17A series, Singh said the warship significantly enhances the Indian Navy's multi-mission capabilities and expressed confidence that the shipyard would continue building advanced indigenous warships.

The Defence Minister also highlighted Andhra Pradesh's growing role in India's defence ecosystem, saying the state has emerged as a major hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing.

Recalling the induction of the earlier Project 17A frigates, Singh said INS Nilgiri was commissioned in January 2025, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in August 2025, INS Taragiri in April 2026, and INS Dunagiri in June 2026, with INS Mahendragiri completing the six-ship programme on Saturday.

He said the stealth frigate has a full-load displacement of about 6,670 tonnes, can achieve speeds of up to 28 knots, and is equipped to simultaneously tackle aerial, surface and sub-surface threats, strengthening the Navy's operational readiness across multiple domains.

- Ends