Indian Army Chief Emphasizes Soldier-Centric Approach Amid Evolving Warfare

New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The future of warfare will not solely rely on advanced weapons and military equipment, but will also hinge on technology, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and enhanced coordination among the three branches of the armed forces. Keeping this evolving battlefield in mind, Indian Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth outlined the preparations for future conflicts in the Indian subcontinent during a recent address.

In his speech, General Seth emphasized that the Indian Army is continuously adapting to meet emerging military challenges. He noted that modernization goes beyond merely acquiring new weapons and changing organizational structures. It also involves fostering a culture of innovation, rapidly adopting new technologies, and enhancing decision-making capabilities in response to changing circumstances.

On November 11, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, General Seth delivered the Cavalry Memorial Address on the topic of “Concept of Future Warfare in the Indian Subcontinent” during the Mechanized Forces Seminar 2026. This two-day event, organized by the Cavalry Officers Association in collaboration with the Mechanized Forces Directorate, attracted senior serving officers, retired military personnel, defense scientists, industry representatives, and strategic experts. He stressed that the soldier should always remain at the center of all these changes.

The Army Chief highlighted the importance of jointness and better coordination among the three armed services in future conflicts. He pointed out that seamless cooperation between different military services and various domains will be essential in the changing battlefield. Additionally, he reiterated the Indian Army’s commitment to self-reliance in the defense sector, emphasizing the development of indigenous military capabilities and strengthening partnerships with the defense industry and educational institutions.

Discussing the development of mechanized forces, General Seth remarked that their evolution reflects the Indian Army’s capacity to adapt to changing circumstances. He expressed confidence that mechanized forces will continue to play a crucial role in future warfare.

The opening session of the seminar featured General Seth’s address as the highlight. It began with remarks from Lieutenant General Ashok Mehta (Retd.), President of the Cavalry Officers Association. The event also saw the launch of the book “Armor 2040: Steel, Silicon, and the Future Battlespace,” authored by Lieutenant General A.B. Shivane (Retd.).

Lieutenant General Preet Pal Singh, Director General of Mechanized Forces, noted that significant changes are underway to develop network-based and autonomous warfare systems. Topics at the seminar include discussions on AI, autonomous target engagement systems, the combined use of manned and unmanned military systems, drone-based integrated warfare, next-generation warfare systems, and joint military operations across various domains.

The two-day event will conclude on November 12 with a discussion on “Indian Mechanized Forces 2035: Changes for Future Operational Conditions.”