As the title suggests, the seminar was organised at Manekshaw Centre as part of the annual Cavalry Weekend celebrations to discuss professional matters related to the corps while indulging in nostalgia and history. It turned out to be a happy mix of tradition, history and professional matters with veterans sharing their experience and knowledge with all present, simultaneously learning from the industry leaders and serving officers about the present day technology and tactical approach. All in all it was a very meaningful and educative experience and the feedback has been extremely positive.

Why such Symposiums are timely

The tactical battlefield has undergone significant changes. Technologies and battle drills that dominated the tactical battlefield area (TBA) even a decade or two ago, now seem outdated when we consider the current operational requirements. Since the turn of the century, the digital revolution has advanced technologies at such a rapid pace that their impact is felt across the tactical battlespace. Looking back at history, the Great Wars, the Gulf Wars, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict (including the situation in West Asia) have all introduced new weapon systems, technologies, and warfighting concepts, while rendering many old doctrines obsolete.

The time has come to re-evaluate warfighting from scratch, as the battlefield has changed dramatically. The ‘relevance of armour, and its ‘resurgence’ has been a hot topic of discussion. The fact is, it’s not just battle tanks or their survivability; all land-based platforms have become vulnerable and need to be mobile and protected. This also sets the stage for standardised platforms with common assemblies and sub-assemblies across the board, presenting a great opportunity for ‘Made in India’ for India.

Battle tanks are essential for their multi-dimensional utility and strategic impact. For India, a specialised tank model is needed, one that can navigate its unique geographical challenges, including the changing high-altitude regions. A leaner force than the current inventory of 3,500 tanks would align better with modern tactical doctrines focusing on agile, mixed-unit engagements. Any new tank in India’s arsenal must be in sync with its doctrinal strategies and distinctive terrains—areas where foreign models often miss the mark. Moreover, this future tank must integrate seamlessly with joint operations, playing a pivotal role within the collective combat framework. We need to build tanks for a fundamentally different conflict environment – one that will require us to operate with new cutting edge technologies that are likely to change the way military equipment is designed and the way military forces will fight.

Reorganisation of units and formations which can keep pace with the dynamic battlespace is imperative. Operational grouping will have to take the shape of peace time reorganisation.

The Symposium and RTD

As we have hit the age of disruptive technologies and net-centricity, they force us to look at the future of warfare de novo. To develop new armoured vehicles, we have to take a conceptual leap sideways.  Artillery guns and other land based platforms need to mechanised too as the world and warfare move away from traditional systems.

The content and conduct was academic in nature and restricted to ‘open domain’ information. The symposium was a joint endeavour between COA (Cavalry Officers’ Association) and CLAWS (Centre for Land Warfare Studies), duly supported by South Asia Defence & Strategic Review and SIDM, with participation from the Armed Forces, DRDO and Industry (public and private sector).

Key Themes: Key themes of the entire series were as follows:

             Future Wars, Threat Perception and Mechanised Forces

             Armour 2047 – how the corps must evolve to be in top operational condition

             Setting up an Industrial Base for Mobile Armoured Platforms in India

             Management and Upgrade of Legacy Equipment

             Dynamics of warfare- past, present and future.

The symposium started with a welcome address by President COA, Lt Gen Ashok Mehta(retd),AVSM.VSM. The keynote was delivered by Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, AVSM, VSM, DCOAS (IS&C). The erudite General officer spoke about nuances of modern warfare and how the Indian army is continuously evolving to deal with future challenges. The icing on the cake was an inspirational talk on ‘offensive spirit’ delivered by General VN Sharma, PVSM,AVSM, former Chief of the Army Staff. He had the whole house in rapt attention during the 45 minutes that he spoke. Displaying an extraordinarily sharp memory, the former Chief conveyed the message to the fraternity to remain agile and hone offensive military skills specially in the northern areas to keep the adversary unsettled.

The opening session concluded with a high-powered panel discussion featuring Lt Gen Rajan Bakshi, PVSM, UYSM (former C-in-C), Lt Gen Anil Chait, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (former CISC), Lt Gen Amit Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (former C-in-C Strategic Forces), and Col Rajinder Bhatia (President, SIDM), moderated by Col A.K. Sharma (Retd.), Editor-in-Chief of South Asia Defence & Strategic Review. This animated discussion provided valuable lessons and insights for the armoured warfare community.

Post the tea break, proceedings resumed with a fireside chat featuring Lt Gen Vivek Kashyap, AVSM,VSM, DG Armoured Corps. and Manu Pubby, a senior defence journalist.  The session was an open and candid dialogue, during which Lt Gen Kashyap addressed critical topics such as fleet modernization, the integration of new platforms, and his vision for the future of the Armoured Corps, including the long-term strategy for Armour 2047—aligned with the nation’s ambition of becoming a strong and self-reliant “Viksit Bharat.”

The subsequent session focused on “Tank Technologies: Tech and Industry Initiatives Shaping India’s Mechanised Forces for Future Challenges,” chaired by Lt Gen A.B. Shivane, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Former DGMF). Panelists included Brig Varun Sehgal, DDG ‘A’ at CD Directorate, Mr. Vinod Nair from Allison Transmission India, and Mr. Sandeep Chintala from SMART Audio, who introduced “SMART Mute,” an innovative technology to eliminate operational noise for enhanced combat efficiency. Representing RENK, Mr. Praveen Mohan (Managing Director, RENK India) presented the company’s future-ready mobility solutions for armoured platforms.

The session emphasized the ongoing pursuit of state-of-the-art technologies by the industry, the expansion of foreign OEM operations in India, and their increasing commitment to “Make in India.”

The final session for the day was a panel discussion on “TBA and Boardrooms: Linkages Between Operational Performance, Industrial Outputs, and R&D,” chaired by Lt Gen JP Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Former DCOAS, P&S). The panel featured Shri Sanjay Dwivedi, CMD AVNL;

Shri J Rajesh Kumar, Director CVRDE. Mr Sanjiv Mulgaonkar of Precision Engineering and Systems, L&T; Maj Gen AK Channan (Retd), Advisor, KSSL. The discussions underscored the need for stronger user-industry partnerships to enhance operational efficiency and identified promising trends in India’s growing defence ecosystem.

Day 2: Focused Discussions

Day 1’s blend of nostalgia and professionalism set the tone for Day 2, which commenced with opening remarks by Maj Gen Rakesh Bhadauria, ADG CLAWS, followed by a keynote address from Lt Gen Vineet Gaur, AVSM, DG Capability Development. Speaking passionately, Gen Gaur laid out a comprehensive roadmap for building a robust defence industrial base in India, underpinned by self-reliance. His candid remarks, complemented by a detailed presentation, resonated with the diverse audience in Taber Hall. DG Armour added his perspectives, ensuring the session’s runaway success.

Next was a panel discussion on “Addressing the Challenges of Survivability and Protection in the Battlefield,” moderated by Lt Gen Sanjay Verma, PVSM, AVSM, VSM* (Retd.), former DGWE. Discussants included Brig G. Muthu Kumar, SM, VSM (Brig Combat Engineers); Col Alex Jacob (Retd.), Marketing Director, Saab India Technologies; and Mr. Deepak Doshi, Director, Star Hentzen Coatings Pvt Ltd. Brig Kumar delivered a compelling presentation on the role of Combat Engineers in ensuring mobility and protection for armoured columns. Col Jacob showcased Saab’s Laser Warning System and MCS technologies essential for survivability. Mr. Doshi introduced advanced coatings designed to enhance platform camouflage across multiple spectrums.

The concluding session of the symposium, titled “Creation of Military Industrial Complex on the Strength of FRCV and Light Tank Projects,” was chaired by Lt Gen A.K. Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.), former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar and C-in-C, Southern Command. Panelists included Brig Varun Sehgal, DDG, CD Directorate; Brig Prashant Kanwar, DDG ‘A’, DG Armoured Corps; and Mr. Allison from a leading FOEM. The panel provided critical policy guidelines for the Light Tank and FRCV projects, addressing key concerns raised by industry representatives. Col Rajinder Bhatia, President SIDM, highlighted challenges related to IP rights and Indian content requirements in defence acquisition policies and their potential implications for these projects.

Valedictory Session

The symposium concluded with an interactive session led by the DG Armoured Corps, who invited feedback and queries from delegates. This exchange rounded out the discussions effectively, providing additional insights into industry and operational challenges.

In his valedictory address, Mr. Ramesh, DG SIDM, expressed gratitude to the organizers and emphasized the need for collective action across the defence ecosystem to ensure the success of key projects like the Light Tank and FRCV. He underscored that these initiatives would pave the way for future “Made in India” military platforms, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.