The Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC) 2026, chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, concluded in New Delhi on April 16 after four days of high-level deliberations.
The biannual conference, which commenced on April 13, was attended by senior military leadership and key government officials including the Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary, Chairman NSAB, and Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi.
Focus on Future-Ready Force
Aligned with its transformation roadmap, the Indian Army has declared 2026 as the Year of “Networking and Data Centricity”, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness through technology integration.
Key Areas of Discussion
The conference covered a wide range of strategic and operational issues, including:
- Military modernisation and technology infusion
- Doctrinal and training reforms
- Networking and data-centric warfare
- Enhancing operational readiness for emerging threats
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
Drawing insights from Operation Sindoor and global conflicts, Army leadership emphasised:
- Increased use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Strengthening Counter-UAS capabilities
- Adapting to evolving battlefield dynamics
Emphasis on Self-Reliance and Jointness
Speakers highlighted the need for:
- Accelerated indigenous defence production
- Reducing dependency on global supply chains
- Strengthening civil-military synergy
- Adopting a whole-of-nation approach to security
Addressing Emerging Security Challenges
The discussions underscored the importance of hard power, inter-ministerial coordination, and integrated national response mechanisms to tackle complex and evolving security challenges.
Way Ahead
The conference reaffirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to becoming a technology-driven, agile, and future-ready force, capable of safeguarding national interests in an increasingly complex global security environment.
