The Indian Armed Forces have convened at the Army War College, Mhow, for Ran Samwad 2025 — the first Tri-Service seminar on the Impact of Technology on Warfare. The event brings together the Services, Ministry of Defence, academia, industry, and think tanks in an unprecedented dialogue on emerging technologies, future warfare, and training reforms.

Over two days, discussions will span AI-driven drone swarms, space-based surveillance, cyber and information warfare, logistics resilience, precision weapons and joint training reforms. The objective is clear — to prepare India's military for future-ready, multi-domain operations and to set international benchmarks for professional military dialogue.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan underscored that future battlefields will not recognise service boundaries, stressing the need for seamless integration across domains, supported by self-reliance and integrated logistics

At the inaugural session, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan underscored that future battlefields will not recognise service boundaries, stressing the need for seamless integration across domains, supported by self-reliance and integrated logistics. Swift and decisive joint responses, he said, would be the key to success in wars to come. "Jointmanship is foundational to our transformation — through theatre commands, integrated logistics and joint training," he emphasised.

General Chauhan noted that modern conflicts are being reshaped by drones, artificial intelligence, precision strikes, cyber warfare and satellite-enabled networks. In such an environment, he said, jointness must be the cornerstone of India's military transformation.

The CDS called for institutionalising joint training and rapidly absorbing emerging technologies such as AI, cyber, quantum and electronic warfare to secure operational superiority

The CDS called for institutionalising joint training and rapidly absorbing emerging technologies such as AI, cyber, quantum and electronic warfare to secure operational superiority. He also highlighted the importance of developing the Sudarshan Chakra — India's own version of an Iron Dome — which would serve both as a shield and a sword, strengthening civil-military integration.

Invoking India's civilisational wisdom, General Chauhan reminded that while the country has been a source of knowledge since ancient times, there is little academic study of its own wars and strategies. "India needs scholar-soldiers who can think as deeply as they can fight. Shaastra (knowledge) and Shastra (weaponry) must be studied together," he said. He urged deeper research into leadership, morale, and technology in warfare, adding that India must aspire to be Sashakt (Strong), Surakshit (Secure), Atmanirbhar (Self-Reliant), and Viksit (Developed). He underlined the timeless principle: "Peace without power is Utopian."

Framing Ran Samwad as more than just a seminar, the CDS described it as a platform for a symphony of ideas, encouraging young and mid-level officers to contribute perspectives shaped by their exposure to technological change

Framing Ran Samwad as more than just a seminar, the CDS described it as a platform for a symphony of ideas, encouraging young and mid-level officers to contribute perspectives shaped by their exposure to technological change. He cited the Mahabharata, noting that "Arjuna needed Krishna; Astra needs Shaastra. In war, wisdom outweighs weaponry."

The two-day event is the first tri-service initiative of its kind, with serving soldiers taking centre stage in dialogue alongside policy-makers and industry. It marks a significant step towards self-reliance in defence and the creation of future-ready armed forces. On the concluding day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will deliver the plenary address, coinciding with the release of Joint Doctrines and the Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap.