The third edition of the tri-services Future Warfare Course began at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Monday (February 2, 2026). The programme is being conducted under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) and will conclude on February 25.
According to the Ministry of Defence, this edition features an enhanced and expanded curriculum, focusing on specialised subjects and domain-specific developments shaping contemporary and future military operations. The course seeks to develop a deeper understanding of how rapid technological advancements are transforming warfare, necessitating a re-examination of existing concepts, doctrines, strategies, and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
In addition to theoretical engagement, the programme includes an in-depth exploration of critical topics, practical demonstrations of emerging technologies and visits to institutions of strategic importance for strengthening the defence capabilities of the Armed Forces, it added.
Participants include officers from all three Services as well as representatives from the defence industry, including startups, MSMEs, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private industry. Service participants range in seniority from Majors to Major Generals and their equivalents, bringing together technical expertise from junior officers and operational and strategic experience from senior leadership.
The Ministry said that the course is designed to align the operational priorities of the Armed Forces with the capabilities of the indigenous defence industry, enabling free-flowing discussions on various facets of modern and futuristic warfighting. A diverse pool of experts—comprising veterans, serving officers, former ambassadors, industry specialists and academics—will contribute to a holistic and professional analysis of India’s evolving security challenges.
The curriculum also includes specialised inputs on critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regional and global geopolitics impacting future military operations, broadening the scope of subjects that defence planners will need to consider.
Building on the success of the inaugural course held in September 2024, the expanded three-week programme aims to realise the vision of Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to prepare officers for the complex and multi-dimensional challenges of modern warfare.
Published – February 02, 2026 09:47 pm IST
