COAS Gen Upendra Dwivedi Charts Five-Pillar Strategy for Future-Ready Indian Army

Gen Dwivedi Delivers Visionary Address at HDMC-20 Valedictory, Outlines Army’s Transformative Roadmap.

Secunderabad, March 27: In a significant address that set the tone for the future of India’s military transformation, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi laid out a comprehensive vision for the Indian Army, centered around Five Pillars of Transformation. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the 20th Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC-20) at the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, the Army Chief emphasized the need for modernization, adaptability, and strategic foresight to build a future-ready, combat-capable force.

The Five Pillars of Transformation, as outlined by Gen Dwivedi, include: technology absorption, structural reforms, human resource development, jointness and integration with sister services, and a shift to an outcome-driven approach. These pillars form the bedrock of the Army’s roadmap to become a technologically empowered, self-reliant, and operationally agile force capable of responding to complex, multi-domain security threats.

Vision for a Future-Ready Force

Delivering his address to the graduating officers — comprising 167 participants from the Indian Armed Forces and 14 officers from friendly foreign countries — the COAS detailed a three-phase strategy of military transformation: the Era of Transition, Era of Consolidation, and Era of Control. These phases, he said, represent the evolution of the Army into a versatile and integrated force aligned with national security objectives and India’s aspirations for “Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

He underscored the importance of the Indian Army moving away from a process-driven approach to an outcome-oriented framework, where the effectiveness of actions takes precedence over procedural compliance. This, he said, will facilitate better responsiveness and operational excellence, enabling the Army to function as a key enabler of national power and a reliable regional security partner.

A Call for Strategic Adaptability

Emphasizing the qualities required in modern military leadership, Gen Dwivedi exhorted officers to be imaginative, innovative, and open to change. He urged them to imbibe the values of Truth, Trust, and Transparency — foundational principles that will help military leaders navigate the dynamic global security environment and complex domestic challenges.

“Armed forces must be mobile, agile, and technologically competent, capable of contributing across the full spectrum of national security,” he remarked. “Through Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and strategic partnerships, we must strive to build a force structure that is not only robust but also future-ready.”

Elevating Strategic Leadership

The HDMC-20, a flagship program conducted by CDM under the Integrated Defence Staff, is designed to equip senior officers with strategic, managerial, and operational insight critical for higher command and policymaking roles. The curriculum includes modules on defence planning, joint operations, logistics, leadership, and national security strategies.

The graduating cohort, drawn from across the Army, Navy, and Air Force — along with foreign military officers from allied nations — is now prepared to assume key leadership roles in national and international defence institutions. Their training represents a fusion of operational experience and academic learning aimed at strengthening inter-service synergy and long-term strategic vision.

Recognizing Excellence

As part of the ceremony, Gen Dwivedi felicitated officers who had displayed academic brilliance and leadership excellence during the course. These accolades, he noted, reflect the calibre of officers being nurtured within the Indian Armed Forces and reaffirm the institution's commitment to nurturing thought leaders in defence management.

The valedictory event was attended by senior military leaders, CDM faculty, and distinguished guests, highlighting the importance of the occasion in shaping the future direction of defence leadership in India. It also underscored India’s growing stature as a hub of military education and strategic thought leadership in the region.

Towards Integrated and Adaptive Forces

Gen Dwivedi reiterated that jointness among the three services — Army, Navy, and Air Force — is not just a strategic imperative but also a force multiplier in modern warfare. The need for cross-domain capabilities, cyber readiness, and AI integration in defence operations was also emphasized as the Army looks toward harnessing cutting-edge technologies to maintain superiority in rapidly evolving conflict environments.

“Only by thinking ahead, embracing innovation, and staying rooted in our core values can we successfully navigate the challenges of tomorrow,” he concluded.

As the officers of HDMC-20 return to their respective commands and postings, they carry forward not just knowledge and skills, but also a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility to contribute meaningfully to national defence, security policymaking, and international military cooperation.

This valedictory address not only marked the culmination of an intensive strategic course but also heralded a new era of thought leadership and transformation in the Indian Army’s journey toward becoming a globally respected, technologically proficient, and strategically aligned fighting force.