New Delhi | The third edition of the tri-services Future Warfare Course has commenced at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, and will run from February 2 to February 25, 2026. The course is being conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
This edition of the course features an expanded and enhanced curriculum, covering specialised subjects and domain-specific developments that are reshaping modern military operations. The programme aims to build a comprehensive understanding of how rapid technological advancements are transforming the nature of warfare, thereby necessitating a reassessment of traditional thinking, concepts, doctrines, strategies and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
Participants will engage in in-depth discussions on critical aspects of future warfighting, supported by practical demonstrations of emerging technologies and visits to key institutions that play an important role in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
The course brings together officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, along with representatives from the defence industry, including startups, MSMEs, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private sector companies. The participating officers range in rank from Majors to Major Generals and their equivalents, creating a balanced mix of junior officers with strong technical expertise and senior officers with extensive operational and strategic experience.
A key objective of the Future Warfare Course is to align the operational priorities of the Armed Forces with the capabilities of India’s indigenous defence industry, fostering open and informed discussions on the evolving dimensions of modern and futuristic warfare. The course features a diverse panel of experts, including veterans, serving officers, former ambassadors, industry specialists and academic professionals, ensuring a holistic and rigorous examination of India’s present and future security challenges.
In addition, the curriculum includes emerging focus areas such as critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regional and global geopolitical dynamics that are expected to influence future military operations. These subjects highlight the growing need for the Defence Forces to adopt a multi-domain and interdisciplinary approach to planning and conducting operations.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition held in September 2024, the expanded three-week programme aligns with the vision of Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to prepare military leaders for the increasingly complex and technology-driven challenges of contemporary and future warfare.
