Tri-Services Future Warfare Course to Begin in New Delhi on 2 February

Participants will engage in in-depth discussions, practical demonstrations of emerging technologies, and institutional visits critical to strengthening the Defence Forces’ operational capabilities.

The third edition of the tri-services Future Warfare Course will commence at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from 2 to 25 February 2026, under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).

Building on the success of its inaugural edition held in September 2024, the expanded three-week programme features an enhanced and future-oriented curriculum, focusing on specialised subjects and emerging domain-specific developments shaping modern military operations.

The course is designed to deepen understanding of how rapid technological advancement is transforming warfare, compelling armed forces worldwide to reassess traditional thinking, concepts, doctrines, strategies and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). Participants will engage in in-depth discussions, practical demonstrations of emerging technologies, and institutional visits critical to strengthening the Defence Forces’ operational capabilities.

Participants include officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, alongside representatives from the defence industry, including startups, MSMEs, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private sector firms. The officers range in rank from Major to Major General and equivalent, enabling a dynamic exchange of ideas that blends cutting-edge technical expertise with deep operational and strategic experience.

A core objective of the Future Warfare Course is to align the Armed Forces’ operational priorities with the capabilities of India’s indigenous defence industry, fostering open dialogue on the realities of contemporary and future conflict. A diverse panel of experts — including veterans, serving officers, former ambassadors, industry specialists and academics — will lead discussions to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous examination of India’s evolving security challenges.

This edition further expands its scope by incorporating expert insights into critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regional and global geopolitics, recognising their growing impact on future military planning and operations.

The programme supports the vision of Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to prepare officers for the complex, multidimensional challenges of modern warfare, strengthening India’s readiness in an increasingly contested and technology-driven security environment.

Call to action for defence stakeholders

Defence professionals, industry partners and strategic thinkers are encouraged to engage with the outcomes of the course, as it plays a key role in shaping doctrine, capability development and civil-military-industry collaboration for future battlefields.