The three-day Naval Commanders’ Conference will begin in Delhi on September 29
On the launch day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address naval commanders and share his vision and guidance on the nation’s maritime prospects and the government’s expectations from the Navy. File. | Photo credit: ANI
The Indian Navy’s top brass will conduct a comprehensive review of the operational readiness of the force, including the ongoing Operation Urja Suraksha amid conflicts in West Asia, at the three-day Commanders’ Conference 2026, which begins in Delhi on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).
The Navy said the second half-yearly Command Conference in 2026 will be held at Nausena Bhawan from September 29 to October 1. The conference will bring together senior naval leadership, including operational and area commanders from various commands, for a military-strategic assessment of the Navy’s readiness and priorities.
The conference assumes significance against the backdrop of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to protect India’s maritime interests and ensure security of energy supplies amid heightened instability in West Asia. The Navy’s conduct of Operation Urja Suraksha has also strengthened its role as a security partner in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
The operation was launched by the Navy on 27 March 2026 to protect energy supplies bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf amid tensions in West Asia.
On the launch day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address naval commanders and share his vision and guidance on the nation’s maritime prospects and the government’s expectations from the Navy.
The Chief of Staff and the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will also work with the Navy Commanders, with commitments focused on enhancing the synergy, cohesion and integration of the three services.
Logistics and training
During the following meetings, the Chief of the Naval Staff will review key areas including operations, materiel, logistics, human resources and training with the commanders in chief.
The conference will also focus on accelerating the induction and absorption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, autonomous and unmanned systems, and cyber operations. The discussion is expected to highlight the need for newer combat concepts and faster adoption of advanced technologies.
The top Navy leadership will also review overall force readiness and ways to optimize force levels and enhance combat readiness in line with JAI’s three pillars of cohesion, aatmanirbharta and innovation.
The negotiations will be in line with the government’s broader objectives of achieving greater self-sufficiency in defense and contributing to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The Navy, which continues to maintain a high operational tempo, is striving to strengthen its combat readiness and emerge as a credible, cohesive and future-ready force while protecting the nation’s maritime interests, the press release said.
Published – 28 Sep 2026 21:59 IST