Rajnath Singh emphasizes the need for a long-term vision and flexible strategies for the military

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (Oct 23, 2026) urged the Army’s top leadership to develop a long-term strategic vision for the next 20-30 years while remaining ready to respond to immediate and emerging security challenges in the changing geopolitical and regional environment.

Addressing the Army Chiefs Conference in New Delhi on its final day, Mr. Singh emphasized the need for dynamic and flexible strategies that can be adapted to evolving circumstances. He issued the “Land Warfare Doctrine” which provides an overarching framework for preparing the military to deal with the evolving nature of warfare and future conflicts.

Mr. Singh also called for an integrated approach to modern warfare, stressing that land operations and ground forces will remain indispensable despite the growing importance of air, naval, space and cyber domains.

Appreciating the armed forces for adapting to changing operational requirements, the defense minister said innovative thinking, enhanced synergy, improved coordination and advanced weaponry contributed to the success of Operation Sindoor.

The operation sent a clear signal that India would not hesitate to take necessary measures to protect its national interests, he said.

Mr. Singh emphasized the importance of strengthening military capabilities by adopting new technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data analytics, cyber security and secure communication networks.

He also praised the military’s restructuring efforts, particularly its focus on drones and advanced technology, and called for continuous performance evaluation and improvement in line with evolving operational requirements.

Emphasizing the need for multi-domain capabilities, Mr. Singh said success in future conflicts will depend on seamless coordination of joint operations and the ability to integrate capabilities across multiple domains.

The Minister of Defense also underlined the importance of self-sufficiency in defense and mentioned the growth of domestic production and exports.

Defense production reached a record ₹1.78 crore in the financial year 2025-26, while defense exports touched an all-time high of around ₹38,000 crore, he said.

Referring to the government’s ‘Year of Reforms – 2025’ initiative, Mr. Singh said that reforms are a continuous process, the success of which depends on effective implementation. He called on army commanders to implement reforms in their respective areas and ensure that they translate into tangible improvements in operational capabilities.

He lauded the bravery, discipline, preparedness and restraint of the armed forces along with the leadership and diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhancing India’s global standing.

The defense minister also called for sustained efforts towards self-reliance, better manpower management, greater participation of women in the armed forces and an integrated approach to national security.

He also published the annual journal of the United Nations and thanked army personnel for their contributions as UN peacekeepers, recognizing their professionalism and service to international peace and security.

Defense Minister Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defense Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials were present.

The three-day Army Chiefs Conference, which began on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), provided a forum for the Army’s top leadership to review ongoing initiatives, assess the evolving security environment and identify future priorities for building a technology-equipped and future-ready force.

Published – 23 Oct 2026 22:08 IST