First Ever, industry reps to join future warfare course from Apr 2

For the first time, 15 representatives of private defence industry, including startups, have been nominated to undergo three-week long second-edition of Tri-services Future Warfare Course from April 21.

The forward looking self-reliance initiative to bring synergy between the forces and industry is meant to give real time exposure to representatives from private industry so that they can come up with future generation platforms, systems and sub-systems that fit into operational requirement of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, sources privy to development told businessline.

They said i-DEX winners, startups, MSMEs and companies working with armed forces and those specialising in manned and unmanned teaming, autonomous systems, unmanned ground vehicles, military AI, light weight solutions involving carbon fiber and other composites, missile launch tubes, composite communication reflectors/antennas, composite radomes, carbon fiber tripods, rocket launcher, cybersecurity, network security and secure access were picked up for pioneering Future Warfare Course.

In the different sectoral brainstorming sessions devised for conceptualising on how wars would be fought in future, the defence company representatives will be interacting with mid-career and top brass of the tri-services, besides getting first hand primer on defence procurement procedures, funding and other policy matters.

Sources said the move is to give shape to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan’s thinking that the forces should inch towards tactics-led modernisation, as the ongoing global conflicts have brought in a paradigm shift in the way battles are being fought, raising question marks over many legacy platforms and systems.

It will also put a check on ‘innovation wastage’, reduce time and channelise energy of the industry in the right direction for production of military hardware and software, believe sources.

Representatives from DRDO and SIDM, apart from tri-services officers, from the rank of Major to Major General and it’s equivalent ranks in Air Force and Navy, will also attend the course.

Building on the success of the inaugural course held in September 2024, this expanded three-week program is scheduled to commence at Manekshaw Centre here under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.

Overall, the course maintains its rank-agnostic approach, though this edition features an enhanced curriculum covering specialised subjects and domain-specific warfare developments in military operations.

It focuses on developing an erudite understanding on how war fighting is being impacted by technology, necessitating a relook at our thinking, concepts, doctrines, strategies and TTPs.

The course, stated sources, caters for deeper exploration of critical topics, practical demonstrations of emerging technologies and visits to institutions of critical importance to the capabilities of the Armed Forces.

The course will align operational priorities with the capabilities of the indigenous defence industry and enable a free flowing discussion on the various facets of modern and futuristic war fighting.

The diverse range of experts, including veterans, serving officers, foreign affairs specialists, industry experts and academic professionals will ensure that a holistic analysis of India’s security challenges are debated in a threadbare and professional manner.

Published on April 18, 2025