New Delhi: Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the third edition of Kalam & Kavach 3.0 at the Manekshaw Centre on May 14, 2026, bringing together some of the country’s top military leaders, policymakers, defence innovators, and strategic experts for a major dialogue on India’s evolving security landscape.
The high-level conference, themed “Taking JAI Forward With I²”, is designed as a strategic platform to discuss the future of India’s defence transformation, indigenous capability building, and next-generation warfare preparedness. The event revolves around the vision of Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation (JAI), while also highlighting Indigenisation and International Collaboration (I²) as key pillars for strengthening India’s defence ecosystem.
The conference aims to deepen conversations around integrated military capability development, technological advancement, and strategic partnerships aligned with the national security priorities of India and the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
A wide range of senior dignitaries and defence stakeholders are expected to participate in the event. Among the key attendees will be Anil Chauhan, Dinesh K Tripathi, and Ashutosh Dixit. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Defence Research and Development Organisation, the National Security Advisory Board, diplomats, foreign defence attaches, industry leaders, start-ups, MSMEs, and strategic think tanks will also be part of the discussions.
The inaugural session is expected to set the tone for deeper deliberations on India’s future military capabilities and strategic priorities. A series of keynote speeches, fireside conversations, and focused panel discussions will examine emerging security challenges and opportunities in the defence sector.
One of the central themes of the conference will be future warfare technologies. Discussions are expected to explore artificial intelligence-enabled warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic technologies, and quantum-enabled Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Experts will also deliberate on the growing importance of space security, low-earth orbit threats, and the increasing need for tri-service integration in modern military operations.
Another major focus area will be strategic global partnerships and advanced defence manufacturing. Sessions will examine co-development models, technology transfer mechanisms, and international collaborations that can support India’s long-term defence preparedness while strengthening domestic production capabilities.
The event is also expected to strongly highlight the role of Indian MSMEs and start-ups in transforming the country’s defence-industrial ecosystem. Special attention will be given to the innovation ecosystem supported by iDEX initiatives, defence industrial corridors, indigenous production scaling, and manufacturing capabilities required to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Industry leaders and policymakers are likely to discuss how India can emerge as a stronger global defence manufacturing hub while balancing international collaboration with self-reliance. The conference aims to showcase how trusted partnerships with friendly countries can contribute to technology sharing, advanced manufacturing, and capacity building without compromising India’s strategic autonomy.
As India continues to modernise its armed forces and adapt to rapidly evolving global security dynamics, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 is expected to provide an important platform for shaping future defence strategies, promoting indigenous innovation, and strengthening coordination between the military, industry, academia, and government institutions.
