New Delhi : General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), delivered an address titled “Vision for Future Warfighting in the Indian Subcontinent” at the Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre. The symposium brought together senior military leaders, veterans, defence scientists, industry representatives and strategic thinkers to discuss how warfare is changing and what challenges future battlefields may bring.
The COAS said the Army’s transformation must go beyond modernising equipment. It needs a culture of innovation, technological adaptability and agility, with the soldier (the “Yoddha”) at its core. He named jointness, integration and Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) as key enablers, and stressed building indigenous capability and stronger partnerships between industry and academia.
He praised the Mechanised Forces for their enduring legacy and highlighted their pivotal role in future warfighting. He reiterated the Army’s commitment to becoming a technology-enabled, future-ready force, guided by his “VIJAY” vision. At the event he also unveiled the book Armour 2040: Steel, Silicon & The Future Battlespace, written by Lt Gen AB Shivane (Retd).
About the Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026
- Organisers: It is organised by the Cavalry Officers’ Association with the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces.
- Duration: It is a two-day event ending on November 12 with a closing fireside discussion titled “Indian Mechanised Forces 2035: Transforming for the Future Operational Environment.”
- Keynote: Lt Gen Prit Pal Singh, Director General Mechanised Forces, spoke on “Contemporary Mechanised Warfare in the Indian Context.” He talked about moving from platform-centric capabilities towards an integrated, network-enabled approach.
- Topics: Sessions cover AI and autonomous kill chains, manned-unmanned teaming, integrated drone warfare, next-generation combat systems and multi-domain mechanised operations.
- Welcome address: Lt Gen Ashok Mehta (Retd), President of the Cavalry Officers’ Association, opened the inaugural session.
- Related event: Earlier in November, the COAS also attended the Biennial Mechanised Forces Conference at the Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
About General Dhiraj Seth
- Appointment: He became the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired. He was previously Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
- Background: He studied at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. His honours include the PVSM, UYSM and AVSM.
- Armoured Corps link: He is the first Army chief from the Armoured Corps in nearly three decades (reports cite 1997 as the last), which gives his appearance at this symposium extra significance.
- Mechanised forces experience: He led the capability development effort for mechanised forces, including the induction of new tanks and armoured vehicles.
The “VIJAY” vision
He announced it on taking charge, as an extension of the Defence Minister’s “Decade of Transformation” (2023-2032). It also builds on the “JAI” idea of Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation, in what he calls “JAI se VIJAY.” It stands for:
- V: Vigilance
- I: Innovation
- J: Jointness
- A: Atmanirbharta
- Y: Yodha First
About the book
Armour 2040: Steel, Silicon & The Future Battlespace is by Lt Gen AB Shivane (Retd). It was released at the symposium’s inaugural session. Its title points to the role of armour in future wars shaped by both traditional hardware (“steel”) and digital technology (“silicon”).