General Dhiraj Seth Attends Mechanised Forces Conference in Ahilyanagar on Army Modernisation
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth attended the Biennial Mechanised Forces Conference 2026 at the Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, on November 2, 2026, as senior Indian Army leadership reviewed the future of the force’s mechanised formations. The conference brought together military leaders to discuss transformation, modernisation and the operational capabilities required for armoured and mechanised units in the years ahead.
The event centred on three broad priorities: evolving operational requirements, future force employment and human resource optimisation. It also examined how emerging technologies can be integrated into mechanised formations to improve combat effectiveness in a battlefield environment that is becoming more complex and more digitally dependent.
Mechanised forces, which include armoured and mechanised infantry elements, remain a core part of the Indian Army’s conventional combat strength. Their combination of mobility, firepower, protection and rapid manoeuvre gives them a decisive role in offensive operations, battlefield exploitation and the maintenance of operational superiority.
During the conference, participants assessed how modern warfare is changing and what that means for the employment of mechanised formations. The discussions covered the effect of emerging battlefield technologies, the evolution of operational doctrines and the growing need for integrated combat capabilities.
A major part of the deliberations focused on the integration of advanced technologies to improve battlefield awareness, operational coordination and overall combat performance. Modern mechanised warfare increasingly depends on the effective use of surveillance systems, unmanned platforms, secure communications and digital command-and-control capabilities.
The conference also examined how the Army can better optimise human resources so that mechanised formations are staffed and structured to operate sophisticated military systems and respond to new operational challenges. That included the need to ensure personnel possess the skills and training required for increasingly technology-intensive formations.
Future force employment was another key subject, with participants discussing how mechanised units can be made more flexible, responsive and capable across a range of operational scenarios. The focus was on ensuring that these formations remain effective whether employed in offensive actions, battlefield exploitation or other combat roles.
The conference was held in line with the Indian Army’s vision of “JAI Se VIJAY,” a concept that places emphasis on jointness, self-reliance and innovation. In practical terms, the vision calls for greater integration of modern technology with operational expertise, while also strengthening indigenous capability and coordination across military domains.
The Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahilyanagar serves as a premier training institution for the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps and for the development of professional expertise in armoured warfare. Hosting the conference at the institution gave senior leaders a venue to assess the future direction of India’s mechanised combat capability.
The discussions also highlighted the need to adapt military doctrine and training methods to changing battlefield realities, where speed, precision, technological integration and coordinated operations are increasingly central to operational success.
As the Army continues to modernise, the transformation of mechanised forces remains a key part of its broader effort to prepare for future conflicts. The Biennial Mechanised Forces Conference 2026 reflected that priority by placing emphasis on agile, technology-enabled and operationally effective formations capable of delivering decisive outcomes on future battlefields.
General Seth’s presence at the conference underscored the attention being given to improving the combat capability of mechanised forces and ensuring that they are prepared for the operational demands of tomorrow.
