The fourth edition of the Tri-Services Future Warfare Course will commence at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on August 3, 2026. The four-week programme is being conducted under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
The course aims to enhance understanding of emerging military technologies, evolving security challenges, and the future of modern warfare.
The Future Warfare Course brings together participants from diverse backgrounds, including:
- Officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Representatives from government organisations
- Academia
- Defence industry
- Strategic think-tanks
The collaborative platform is designed to encourage knowledge sharing and strengthen joint operational thinking across multiple domains.
The four-week course covers several emerging areas expected to shape future battlefields, including:
- Geopolitical developments
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Quantum technologies
- Cyber warfare
- Cognitive warfare
- Information warfare
- Autonomous systems
- Future operations across land, maritime, air, and space domains
- Grey-zone operations
- Multi-domain operations
- Technology-enabled warfare
The curriculum reflects the growing importance of advanced technologies in national security and defence planning.
Participants will attend sessions delivered by:
- Senior military officers
- Policymakers
- Scientists
- Industry leaders
- Subject matter experts
These lectures are intended to provide practical insights into evolving defence technologies, strategic planning, and operational challenges.
According to the organisers, the course seeks to:
- Promote joint understanding among the three Services
- Encourage informed discussions on future operational challenges
- Improve preparedness for technology-driven conflicts
- Foster integrated thinking for future military operations
The programme supports India’s broader objective of enhancing jointness and preparing its armed forces for increasingly complex security environments.
