General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff, emphasized the ongoing transformation of the Indian Army to meet emerging operational challenges during the two-day Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026 held on November 11, 2026.
On November 11, 2026, General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), delivered an address titled 'Vision for Future Warfighting in the Indian Subcontinent' at the Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026 held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The symposium, organized by the Cavalry Officers’ Association in collaboration with the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces, aimed to discuss the changing character of warfare. In his address, the COAS highlighted that the Indian Army's transformation is not limited to modern equipment and organizational restructuring but also involves fostering a culture of innovation, technological adaptation, and agility with the 'Yoddha' (soldier) at its core.
The COAS further emphasized the importance of jointness and integration as critical enablers of future warfighting. He stressed the need for seamless coordination across Services and domains. The Indian Army's commitment to Aatmanirbharata through indigenous capability development and stronger partnerships with industry and academia was also reiterated during his speech.
During the inaugural session, Lt Gen Ashok Mehta (Retd), President of Cavalry Officers’ Association, delivered a welcome address. The keynote address on ‘Contemporary Mechanised Warfare in the Indian Context' was given by Lt Gen Prit Pal Singh, Director General Mechanised Forces. The event also witnessed the unveiling of the book ‘Armour 2040: Steel, Silicon & The Future Battlespace’, authored by Lt Gen AB Shivane (Retd).
The symposium will also discuss various aspects such as Artificial Intelligence, autonomous kill chains, manned-unmanned teaming, integrated drone warfare, next-generation combat systems and multi-domain mechanised operations. The two-day event will culminate on 12 November 2026 with a valedictory fireside discussion on ‘Indian Mechanised Forces 2035: Transforming for the Future Operational Environment'.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
