NEW DELHI: Kalam & Kavach 2.0, a high-powered defence conclave hosted by Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), convened India’s top military leaders, strategic thinkers, and industry innovators at the Manekshaw Centre to define the future of national defence reform. With the theme “2025: The Year of Reforms,” the event focused on accelerating speed, synergy, and self-reliance in the Indian military ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal heralded a “renaissance in strategic thought,” disclosing that 8–9 new doctrines are currently under development. These, he emphasized, will fundamentally reshape India’s defence posture and operational philosophies.
In a fireside chat with Shivam Arya, curator of Kalam & Kavach, former Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari outlined the strategic imperatives of the future. Stressing the importance of jointness, he pointed to AI-driven warfare and theatre commands as central pillars in modernizing India’s armed forces.
Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) joined author and journalist Sandeep Unnithan in a riveting conversation on contemporary security challenges. Their dialogue touched on emerging threats from drones and grey zone warfare, underscoring the urgency for rapid, tech-led reforms to ensure battlefield dominance and national security preparedness.
Several sessions throughout the day reiterated the role of cutting-edge technologies —including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber defence, and space capabilities — as the new frontiers of warfare. Speakers across the board emphasized that superiority in these domains would determine strategic success in future conflicts.
The conclave celebrated the growing contribution of Indian private defence industry and startups in bolstering the nation’s military capabilities. Speakers described industry players as co-creators in building an indigenous, self-reliant defence infrastructure, evolving from traditional vendors to strategic vanguards.
Marking the spirit of innovation and intellectual depth, three books were unveiled during the event: Cyber Diplomacy, Artificial Intelligence in Military Applications, and India’s Arsenal. Each title reflected the transformative themes driving India’s defence narrative today.
Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar concluded the event with a compelling call for actionable follow-up, stating that real transformation depends on implementing the ideas shared. Shivam Arya, in his final remarks, urged participants to move from conversation to contribution, declaring, “The conversations we had today must now become contributions.”