• India’s Defence Leaders, Industry and Innovators to Converge
  • Set to Explore AI, Hypersonics and India’s Strategic Defence Transformation
  • From AI Warfare to Atmanirbharta : Taking JAI Forward with I²:

 By Sangeeta Saxena

 New Delhi. 12 May 2026. As India navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical and technological landscape, the future of warfare is being shaped not only by military might, but by innovation, strategic partnerships, industrial resilience, and technological self-reliance. From AI-enabled battle networks and hypersonic weapons to indigenous manufacturing ecosystems and global defence collaborations, the contours of modern warfare are rapidly evolving. Against this backdrop, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 emerges as a crucial platform bringing together policymakers, military leaders, diplomats, scientists, start-ups, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the technologies, partnerships, and capabilities that will define India’s defence future. With the theme “Taking JAI Forward with I²,” the event reflects India’s growing emphasis on jointness, artificial intelligence, innovation, indigenisation, and integrated warfighting capabilities in an era of multidomain operations.

As India accelerates its journey towards technological self-reliance and strategic transformation in defence, the third edition of Kalam & Kavach is set to bring together the country’s most influential voices from the military, government, industry, diplomacy, and strategic community. Organised by Pentagon Press in collaboration with Defence Reimagined, CENJOWS and BHISHMA, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 will be held on 14 May 2026 at Ashoka Hall, Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

For India, next-generation warfare technologies are not merely futuristic capabilities but strategic necessities driven by an increasingly complex security environment. With evolving threats across its northern and western borders, growing competition in the Indo-Pacific, and the emergence of cyber and space as contested domains, India must strengthen its technological edge to maintain credible deterrence and operational preparedness. AI-enabled swarms and autonomous systems can provide cost-effective force multiplication, particularly in high-altitude and difficult terrains, while hypersonic systems can significantly enhance India’s precision strike and rapid-response capabilities. These technologies also help reduce dependence on conventional manpower-intensive operations and improve battlefield survivability in modern high-intensity conflicts.

Equally important is the need for integrated and network-centric warfare capabilities. Quantum-enabled C4ISR systems can transform India’s military decision-making architecture through secure communications, real-time intelligence sharing, and enhanced situational awareness across services. The move towards integrated theatre commands further supports the vision of seamless tri-service operations by enabling coordinated responses across land, air, maritime, cyber, and space domains. For a nation aspiring to achieve defence self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, investing in these advanced technologies is also critical for building indigenous innovation ecosystems, strengthening defence manufacturing, and positioning India as a major strategic and technological power in the evolving global security landscape.

The character of warfare is undergoing a dramatic transformation as emerging technologies redefine how militaries prepare for and conduct future conflicts. Artificial Intelligence-enabled swarms, autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, and quantum-enabled C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) are rapidly becoming central to next-generation military doctrines worldwide. AI swarms, comprising coordinated autonomous drones and unmanned systems, have the potential to overwhelm traditional defence networks through speed, scale, and distributed decision-making. Simultaneously, hypersonic systems capable of travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 are challenging existing missile defence architectures by drastically reducing reaction times and enhancing precision strike capabilities. Together, these technologies are reshaping deterrence, operational planning, and battlefield dominance in an increasingly contested strategic environment.

Equally critical is the evolution of integrated theatre commands and digitally networked warfare ecosystems. Quantum-enabled C4ISR systems promise unprecedented advancements in secure communications, data processing, sensor fusion, and real-time situational awareness, enabling commanders to make faster and more informed operational decisions. The integration of theatre commands seeks to unify air, land, maritime, cyber, and space capabilities into a seamless operational framework, enhancing jointness and combat effectiveness across domains. As geopolitical competition intensifies and battlefields become increasingly technology-driven, nations are investing heavily in these advanced capabilities to ensure strategic superiority, resilience, and readiness for multi-domain operations in the wars of the future.

Technology transfer remains a critical pillar in India’s defence modernisation journey, particularly as the country seeks to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities. For India, meaningful technology transfer goes beyond licensed production and assembly; it involves acquiring core design knowledge, advanced manufacturing expertise, and long-term research capabilities that can enable self-reliance in critical defence technologies. Programmes such as BrahMos, collaborations in aero-engine development, and advanced electronics partnerships have demonstrated the strategic value of technology sharing in accelerating capability development. As warfare increasingly becomes technology-driven, India’s focus is shifting towards securing deeper transfer of high-end technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, propulsion systems, cyber warfare, sensors, and advanced materials.

Global defence partnerships have become central to India’s strategic and security architecture as the country balances capability enhancement with geopolitical priorities. India’s collaborations with countries such as the United States, France, Russia, Israel, and several European nations are increasingly moving from traditional buyer-seller arrangements towards co-development, co-production, joint exercises, and technology collaboration. These partnerships not only strengthen India’s military preparedness but also help integrate Indian industry into global defence supply chains. In the evolving geopolitical environment, India’s defence diplomacy and strategic partnerships are also playing a crucial role in enhancing interoperability, maritime security, Indo-Pacific stability, and access to advanced technologies while supporting the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector is emerging as a key enabler for expanding India’s manufacturing ecosystem, attracting advanced technologies, and creating globally competitive industrial capabilities. The government’s decision to allow higher FDI limits under the automatic and government approval routes reflects its intent to encourage global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to establish production bases and long-term partnerships in India. Increased FDI has the potential to generate employment, boost exports, strengthen MSMEs, and improve access to advanced manufacturing practices and supply chains. However, India’s long-term objective remains ensuring that FDI contributes not merely to assembly operations, but to genuine capability creation, research collaboration, and sustainable industrial growth within the country.

Indigenous capability building lies at the heart of India’s defence transformation strategy and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. With evolving security challenges and increasing uncertainties in global supply chains, India is focusing on developing self-sufficient defence manufacturing and research ecosystems across aerospace, naval systems, land warfare, electronics, cyber, and space technologies. Initiatives such as iDEX, defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, increased private sector participation, and enhanced collaboration between DRDO, industry, academia, and start-ups are helping create a more innovation-driven ecosystem. Indigenous capability building is not only important for operational readiness and strategic autonomy, but also for positioning India as a global defence manufacturing hub capable of designing, developing, and exporting advanced military systems.

Defence corridors are emerging as strategic enablers of India’s ambition to become a major global defence manufacturing hub. The establishment of the Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridors has created integrated ecosystems designed to attract investments, strengthen supply chains, and promote collaboration between industry, academia, research institutions, and start-ups. These corridors aim to decentralise defence production capabilities while generating employment, enhancing regional industrial infrastructure, and fostering innovation-driven manufacturing clusters. By providing common testing facilities, logistics connectivity, and policy support, defence corridors are helping create a sustainable ecosystem for indigenous defence production and exports.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are playing an increasingly vital role in India’s defence industrial ecosystem by serving as key suppliers, innovators, and technology partners. With the rise of initiatives such as iDEX and increased private sector participation, MSMEs are contributing significantly in areas such as drones, electronics, sensors, cyber solutions, advanced materials, and precision manufacturing. Their agility, innovation potential, and cost competitiveness make them essential for strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing import dependency. Integrating MSMEs into larger defence production networks not only supports industrial growth but also accelerates innovation and enhances the resilience of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are becoming important drivers for expanding India’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, including in sectors linked to defence and aerospace. By incentivising domestic production, investments, and value addition, PLI initiatives are encouraging companies to establish manufacturing facilities, adopt advanced technologies, and integrate into global supply chains. In the defence context, PLI-led growth supports the development of critical technologies, electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, drones, and aerospace components that are essential for modern military systems. These schemes also align with India’s broader objective of reducing import dependence while creating globally competitive industrial capabilities.

Scaling up manufacturing capabilities is critical for India’s long-term defence preparedness and export ambitions. As the country moves from limited production runs towards high-volume manufacturing of advanced defence systems, the focus is increasingly on improving industrial capacity, supply chain integration, automation, and quality standards. Manufacturing scale-up is particularly important for meeting the operational requirements of the armed forces while also positioning India as a reliable global supplier of defence equipment. The expansion of private sector participation, increased foreign collaborations, and investments in advanced manufacturing technologies are helping India transition towards a more robust and globally competitive defence industrial base.

Industrial self-reliance has become a strategic imperative for India amid evolving geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions in global supply chains. The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence seeks to ensure that India possesses the capability to design, develop, manufacture, maintain, and upgrade critical defence systems domestically. Achieving industrial self-reliance requires sustained investments in research and development, technology innovation, skilled manpower, manufacturing infrastructure, and public-private collaboration. Beyond military preparedness, self-reliance also strengthens economic resilience, promotes exports, reduces long-term procurement costs, and enhances India’s strategic autonomy in an increasingly competitive global security environment.

At a time when defence preparedness increasingly depends on technological superiority, industrial capability, and strategic collaboration, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 seeks to drive meaningful conversations on India’s evolving security priorities. By bringing together leaders from government, the armed forces, global industry, research institutions, and the start-up ecosystem, the event aims to bridge policy, innovation, and operational realities. From strengthening indigenous manufacturing and MSME participation to exploring future warfare technologies and global partnerships, the discussions at Kalam & Kavach are expected to contribute to shaping a stronger, self-reliant, and future-ready Indian defence ecosystem.