Army chief General Dhiraj Seth addresses Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026

Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth delivered an important address on the subject 'Vision for Future Warfare in the Indian Subcontinent' at the 'Mechanised Forces Symposium 2026' held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 11 November 2026. According to a PIB report, the two-day event has been organised by the Cavalry Officers Association in collaboration with the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces. Senior officers, veterans, defence scientists, and strategic thinkers have gathered at this symposium.

In his address, General Dhiraj Seth emphasised that the transformation of the Indian Army is not limited merely to modern equipment or organisational changes. He said that innovation, technological adaptation, and agility are very important in this process, in which soldiers, i.e., 'warriors', must always remain at the centre. He also highlighted the necessity of coordination and integration between various services and domains in future wars. Additionally, he expressed the Army's unwavering commitment towards 'Atmanirbharta' through the development of indigenous capabilities.

In the opening session of the programme, a welcome address was given by Lieutenant General Ashok Mehta (Retd), President of the Cavalry Officers Association. On this occasion, the book 'Armour 2040: Steel, Silicon and the Future Battlespace', written by Lieutenant General A.B. Shivane (Retd), was released. Delivering the keynote address on 'Contemporary Mechanised Warfare in the Indian Context', the Director General of Mechanised Forces, Lieutenant General Prit Pal Singh, stated that the Army is now moving from platform-centric capabilities towards an integrated and autonomous combat ecosystem.

In this two-day symposium, in-depth discussions will be held on subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, drone warfare, autonomous kill chains, and next-generation combat systems. The programme will conclude on 12 November 2026 with a discussion on the topic 'Indian Mechanised Forces 2035'.

Mechanised Forces is a vital branch of the Indian Army, which primarily includes the Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry. These forces are responsible for providing mobility and firepower on the battlefield and traditionally play a crucial role in conducting offensive operations against the enemy using tanks and armoured vehicles.