Rajnath Singh calls for AI, robotics in non-destructive testing to strengthen defence sector

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, November 15, called for greater adoption of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and robotics, in the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), stating that technological innovation would play a crucial role in strengthening India's defence ecosystem and achieving strategic self-reliance.

Speaking virtually at a three-day conference organised by the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing in Hyderabad, Mr. Singh said indigenous weapons, platforms and supporting systems must meet the highest standards of reliability and performance amid the rapidly changing global security environment. He urged professionals in the NDT sector to continuously upgrade their skills and embrace innovation in line with emerging technologies and evolving security requirements.

Highlighting the technological transformation underway in Non-Destructive Evaluation, the Defence Minister said technologies such as AI, ML, robotics, advanced sensors, digital twins and predictive analytics were expanding the possibilities of inspection and structural health monitoring. These technologies could improve inspection speed and consistency, facilitate the analysis of complex data and help identify defects and patterns that conventional methods might miss, he said.

Calling for greater indigenous innovation, he said India should move beyond adopting emerging technologies and develop solutions suited to its own strategic and industrial needs. Investment in research, advanced equipment, software and skilled manpower would strengthen domestic capabilities and help Indian technologies access international markets, he added.

The three-day conference in Hyderabad brought together more than 2,000 professionals, researchers, industry experts and students to discuss the latest developments, emerging technologies and applications in Non-Destructive Testing.