Army Commanders Conference 2026 heard Defence Minister Rajnath Singh exhort the Indian Army's top leadership on Friday to closely monitor geopolitical as well as regional developments and remain prepared for future challenges. He was addressing the commanders on the final day of the conference in New Delhi.

He called for a long-term strategic vision spanning the next 20 to 30 years. At the same time, he asked the Army's senior leadership to remain equally prepared to respond to immediate and emerging challenges.

Strategies, he said, must remain dynamic and flexible, enabling timely adjustments as circumstances change.

Army Commanders Conference 2026 told to remain prepared for future challenges

He appreciated the military's restructuring efforts, with a special focus on the use of drones and modern technology, and asked the commanders to keep strengthening capabilities, assess performance continuously and implement improvements in line with changing circumstances.

The Defence Minister commended the Defence Forces for adapting to evolving operational circumstances. Innovative thinking, enhanced synergy and superior coordination, complemented by advanced weaponry, contributed to the success of Operation Sindoor, he said. The operation sent a clear message that India would not hesitate to take the measures needed to safeguard its national interests.

Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025, with strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack. Nine terror sites were hit in the opening strikes on 7 May.

Ground forces will remain indispensable in multi-domain war

Challenges across the air, maritime, space and cyber domains are gaining in importance. Land warfare and ground forces, however, would remain indispensable, the Defence Minister said. He called for an integrated approach to modern warfare, stressing that success would depend on multi-domain capabilities and seamless coordination in joint operations.

AI, autonomous systems and cybersecurity named as priority areas

He called for faster work in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data analytics, cybersecurity and secure communication networks.

The Army announced several new formations last year as part of the restructuring drive the Defence Minister appreciated on Friday. They include integrated all-arms Rudra brigades, Bhairav light commando battalions, drone platoons within infantry battalions and Divyastra and Shaktibaan artillery batteries.

Self-reliance and reforms must deliver operational gains, says Defence Minister

The Defence Minister acknowledged the self-reliance efforts of the forces, saying India's growing defence manufacturing capability is the result of the combined efforts of all stakeholders.

"Amidst the changing global landscape, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government is prioritising Aatmanirbharta in defence. In the financial year 2025-26, defence production surged to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore, with defence exports reaching an all-time high of approx. Rs 38,000 crore," he said.

Defence production stood at Rs 1,50,590 crore in 2024-25, according to ministry figures released last year, and exports at Rs 23,622 crore. That puts production up by around 18 percent and exports by around 60 percent in a year. The government has set targets of Rs 3 lakh crore in annual defence production and Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

Referring to the Year of Reforms 2025, he said reform is a continuous process whose success depends on effective implementation. He urged the commanders to drive the reforms forward within their commands and echelons, and to make sure they translate into tangible benefits for operational capabilities. The ministry had listed jointness, integrated theatre commands, new domains such as cyber and space, and faster capability acquisition among the focus areas for that year.

He credited the valour, discipline, preparedness and restraint of the forces, and the Prime Minister's leadership and diplomacy, for strengthening India's global standing.

He urged the Defence Forces to maintain their focus on self-reliance, effective implementation of reforms, improved manpower management, greater participation of women and an integrated approach to national security.

Land Warfare Doctrine released at the conference

The Defence Minister released the Land Warfare Doctrine at the Army Commanders Conference 2026. According to the Ministry of Defence, it provides an overarching framework to prepare the Indian Army to meet the challenges posed by the evolving character of warfare and future conflicts. The Army's previous land warfare doctrine was issued in 2018.

He also unveiled the annual United Nations Journal and felicitated Indian Army personnel for their service as UN peacekeepers, recognising their professionalism and contribution to international peace and security. India has long been among the largest troop contributors to UN missions, with Army contingents deployed in several.

The three-day conference opened on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth, as a forum for the Army's senior leadership to review ongoing initiatives, identify future thrust areas and set policy directions for a progressive, adaptive, technologically enabled and future-ready force. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh were present on Friday.