Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth has said the Indian Army's transformation must go beyond modern equipment and organisational restructuring, and build a culture of innovation, technological adaptation and agility, while keeping the soldier — the Yoddha — at its core. He delivered an address titled “Vision for Future Warfighting in the Indian Subcontinent” at the Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on November 11, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Source: Press Information Bureau

The two-day symposium, organised by the Cavalry Officers' Association in collaboration with the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces, brings together senior serving officers, veterans, defence scientists, industry representatives and strategic thinkers to deliberate on the changing character of warfare, the PIB said. News agency ANI reported the same address, saying the Army Chief highlighted the force's ongoing transformation to meet emerging operational challenges.

Source: ANI

Jointness and self-reliance as enablers

Highlighting jointness and integration as a critical enabler of future warfighting, General Seth underscored the need for seamless coordination across the Services and domains. He also reiterated the Army's commitment to Aatmanirbharta through indigenous capability development and stronger partnerships with industry and academia, the PIB said.

Reflecting on the evolution of the Mechanised Forces, the Army Chief described their journey as a testament to the Army's spirit of adaptation and expressed confidence in their continued pivotal role in future warfare.

From platforms to a network-enabled ecosystem

The Army Chief's address formed the centrepiece of the inaugural session, which opened with a welcome address by Lt Gen Ashok Mehta (Retd), President of the Cavalry Officers' Association, and saw the unveiling of the book “Armour 2040: Steel, Silicon & The Future Battlespace”, authored by Lt Gen AB Shivane (Retd). Delivering a keynote on “Contemporary Mechanised Warfare in the Indian Context”, Lt Gen Prit Pal Singh, Director General Mechanised Forces, emphasised the transition from platform-centric capabilities towards an integrated, network-enabled and autonomous combat ecosystem, according to the PIB.

The symposium is also deliberating on artificial intelligence and autonomous kill chains, manned-unmanned teaming, integrated drone warfare, next-generation combat systems and multi-domain mechanised operations. The two-day event culminates on November 12 with a valedictory fireside discussion on “Indian Mechanised Forces 2035: Transforming for the Future Operational Environment”.