The Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), in collaboration with IMR, organised the Seminar and Exhibition on Surveillance, C4I2 and Electro-Optics 2026 at the Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, on Tuesday, bringing together senior military leaders, defence experts and stakeholders to deliberate on emerging technologies and capabilities shaping modern warfare.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), Director General, CAPSS, in his welcome address, described surveillance as the foundational capability of air power and highlighted the role of C4I2 in enabling effective command and control and strengthening the OODA loop. He stressed the importance of doctrinal fusion to facilitate integrated and informed decision-making in an increasingly complex operational environment.
Delivering the inaugural address, Air Marshal Tejpal Singh, AVSM, VM, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, underlined the need for interoperability among military systems and the ability to convert vast volumes of data into actionable intelligence. He called for closer collaboration between the private sector, defence establishments and academia to accelerate the development and integration of advanced capabilities.
Lt Gen Rahul Singh, AVSM, VSM, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), Army Headquarters, delivered the keynote address and highlighted the far-reaching transformation underway on the modern battlefield. He identified indigenisation, integration and human capital as three critical imperatives for building future-ready military capabilities.
The seminar examined the transition from platform-centric surveillance to integrated, multi-domain architectures that bring together unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites, GEOINT, maritime assets and persistent sensor networks. Deliberations focused on multi-sensor data fusion, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions and indigenous technologies, with experts highlighting the operational value of electro-optical (EO) pods in delivering faster and more actionable intelligence.
A dedicated session on C4I2 systems examined their growing importance in enabling seamless multi-domain operations across the Indian Armed Forces. Speakers emphasised the need for a common operational picture, AI-enabled decision support systems and greater interoperability among the Services to enhance situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
The session also highlighted the Indian Air Force’s C4ISR capabilities as a key enabler of network-centric warfare. Discussions underscored that effective data integration, interoperability and jointness will remain central to future military operations.
The fourth session focused on the expanding role of electro-optical technologies in enhancing target detection, identification and engagement capabilities. Experts from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) outlined advances in electro-optical target detection systems and AI-enabled Visual Brain IFF solutions, showcasing the potential of indigenous technologies to strengthen battlefield awareness and reduce response times.
The discussions highlighted the growing synergy between artificial intelligence and electro-optical systems, which can enable more precise, reliable and faster decision-making in complex combat environments.
The seminar and exhibition provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange perspectives on next-generation surveillance, command-and-control and electro-optical technologies, while reinforcing the need for indigenous innovation, interoperability and jointness to build effective capabilities for future warfare.
