The 82nd Staff Course commenced at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, on June 1, 2026, bringing together more than 500 officers from the Indian Armed Forces and friendly foreign nations for one of the country’s premier professional military education programmes.
The course was inaugurated by Lieutenant General Manish Erry, Commandant of DSSC, who delivered the inaugural address to officers of the Tri-Services as well as 49 officers from friendly foreign countries.
Addressing the participants, Lt Gen Erry highlighted the rapidly evolving global security landscape and stressed the need for military leaders to remain adaptable and forward-looking in an era characterised by technological transformation and changing modes of warfare.
He underscored the importance of developing leaders capable of responding effectively to emerging geopolitical challenges while harnessing new technologies to maintain operational effectiveness across all domains.
The prestigious Staff Course is designed to prepare mid-career military officers for higher command and staff responsibilities by enhancing their understanding of operational art, military strategy, joint operations and national security issues.
A key focus of the course will be strengthening jointmanship among the Army, Navy and Air Force, fostering greater inter-service cooperation and promoting integrated approaches to military planning and operations.
The curriculum also aims to enhance strategic thinking, decision-making abilities and leadership skills, enabling officers to effectively navigate the complexities of modern warfare and future security challenges.
The participation of international officers further enriches the learning environment by facilitating the exchange of professional experiences, perspectives and best practices among military leaders from diverse nations.
Officials noted that the 82nd Staff Course continues DSSC Wellington’s long-standing tradition of developing future military leaders while reinforcing professional bonds and defence cooperation with partner nations.
The commencement of the course marks another important step in preparing the next generation of military commanders and staff officers to lead integrated and technology-enabled forces in an increasingly complex global security environment.
