The fourth edition of the Tri-Services Future Warfare Course concluded at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on August 30 after four weeks of intensive professional military education and strategic deliberations focused on the evolving character of warfare.
Conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the course brought together officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, along with representatives from government organisations, academia, industry and strategic think tanks.
The course focused on emerging technologies, geopolitical developments and operational concepts likely to shape future conflicts. Key areas included Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber and cognitive warfare, information warfare, autonomous systems, multi-domain operations, grey-zone operations and technology-enabled warfare.
The curriculum also covered future operations across the land, maritime, air and space domains, with participants engaging with senior military officers, policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and subject matter experts.
As part of the programme, participants took part in lectures, brainstorming sessions, scenario-building exercises, cognitive warfare simulations, field visits and participant-led presentations. Discussions also focused on innovative approaches to enhance the operational and functional efficiency of the armed forces within an increasingly integrated ecosystem.
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani interacted with the participants during the course and sought their views on the programme. He also encouraged them to suggest emerging areas and additional subjects that could be incorporated into future editions to enhance the course’s relevance to the changing security environment.
The valedictory programme featured the presentation of certificates to the participants by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh.
Lt Gen SS Mahal (Retd), Managing Director, Defence Research and Innovation Foundation, IIT Ropar, presented the ‘PG Diploma in Future Warfare’ to the course participants.
The fourth edition of the course underscored the growing importance of jointness, technological awareness, strategic foresight and operational preparedness in developing military leadership capabilities for future conflicts.
The fifth edition of the Tri-Services Future Warfare Course is scheduled to be conducted from November 16 to December 11, 2026, in New Delhi.
