**Executive Summary**
The first edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 was held from 14–17 April 2026 at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, to review the Indian Navy's operational preparedness and long-term strategy. The four-day apex-level forum focused on assessing the impact of regional conflicts, emerging technologies, and the evolving geopolitical landscape on maritime security. Key outcomes included the release of the Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS-2026) and a mandate for greater industry participation in defence R&D.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Operational Readiness and Strategic Assessment**
* Conducted a comprehensive review of materiel preparedness, infrastructure, logistics, and human resource initiatives.
* Evaluated the prevailing operational environment, specifically addressing complexities arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
* Identified increased threats from non-state actors and a weakening rules-based order as factors creating a highly contested maritime space.
* **Future Force Development and Technology**
* Prioritized the adoption of emerging technologies to build a future-ready force capable of addressing the evolving nature of warfare.
* Highlighted the need for the Navy to prepare for the economic and technological dimensions of modern conflict.
* Released the INMSS-2026, aligned with "Vision 2047," to outline security strategies for the maritime domain over the next decade.
* **Inter-Agency and International Cooperation**
* Stressed the importance of proactive engagements with Friendly Foreign Countries through multilateral and bilateral exercises in the Indian Ocean Region.
* Emphasized continued collaboration between the Navy and para-military forces to maintain a robust coastal security architecture.
* Focused on joint efforts to combat transnational illegal activities.
* **Defence Research and Industry Participation**
* Hosted the "Sagar Manthan" forum to facilitate dialogue between naval leadership and subject matter experts.
* Identified the reformation of Defence R&D and capability development as a priority, specifically through increased participation from the private industry.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy Leadership and Personnel**
* **Impact:** They are tasked with transitioning to a more technologically advanced and future-ready force while managing a highly contested operational space.
* **Action Required:** Must implement the directives of the INMSS-2026 and maintain a sustained focus on combat readiness and technological integration.
**Para-military Forces**
* **Impact:** These organizations are recognized as vital partners in the domestic security framework.
* **Action Required:** Must maintain and enhance collaborative efforts with the Navy to secure coastal borders and combat transnational crime.
**Defence Industry and R&D Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** The Navy is shifting toward a model that requires greater industry involvement in capability development.
* **Action Required:** Align with new R&D reform initiatives and increase participation in naval capability development projects.
**Friendly Foreign Countries**
* **Impact:** These nations are central to the Navy’s strategy for a cohesive and credible approach to regional security.
* **Action Required:** Engagement in scheduled bilateral and multilateral exercises to ensure stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key Entities Referenced
Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026: An apex-level biannual forum for reviewing the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness, infrastructure, and maritime security strategy.
Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS -2026): A strategic document released to outline the Navy’s maritime security approach for the next decade based on the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Indian Navy Vision 2047: A long-term policy document guiding the development of the Indian Navy into a future-ready force by the year 2047.
Sagar Manthan: A specialized forum within the conference dedicated to reforming defense R&D and capability development through industry participation.
Defence Forces Vision 2047: A primary policy document providing the framework for the long-term strategic goals and modernization of the Indian Armed Forces.
Ministry of Defence
CULMINATION OF FIRST EDITION OF NAVAL
COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE 2026
Posted On: 17 APR 2026 8:44PM by PIB Delhi
The first edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ conference 2026 was conducted from 14-17 Apr
2026 at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi. The four-day, apex-level conference served as a vital forum for a
comprehensive review of the Navy’s operational and materiel preparedness, infrastructure, logistics, and
human resource initiatives, along with an assessment of the prevailing operational environment amidst the
ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The conference commenced with an inaugural address by the Chief of the Naval Staff. Emphasising
the evolving geostrategic environment, the CNS highlighted increasing complexities in maritime security,
where concurrent conflicts, a weakening rules-based order, and increased threats posed by non-state actors
are converging to create a highly contested operational space for the Indian Navy.
https://x.com/i/status/2044347467538604472
The Chief of the Naval Staff underscored the need to maintain continued focus on combat readiness and to
adopt emerging technologies in order to build a future-ready force.
He also reiterated the Indian Navy's obligations in the Indian Ocean Region within the emerging geo-
strategic landscape, and stressed the importance of a cohesive and credible approach through proactive
engagements with Friendly Foreign Countries in both multilateral and bilateral exercises.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the Union Home Secretary also interacted with the Naval
Commanders during the conference. The CDS highlighted changing geo-political order and urged the
Navy to prepare for the rapidly evolving nature of warfare, including its economic and technological
dimensions.
https://x.com/i/status/2044320080209838505
The Home Secy alluded to the need for continued collaborative efforts between the Navy and para military
in maintaining robust Coastal security architecture, and towards combating transnational illegal activities.
https://x.com/i/status/2045080129060434402
During the conference, the Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS -2026) was released by
the Chief of the Naval Staff, along with other key naval publications. Building upon Defence Forces
Vision 2047 and Indian Navy Vision 2047, the INMSS outlines the Navy’s security strategy in the
maritime domain for furtherance of national interests in the coming decade in the evolving security
environment. The strategy is anchored in a realistic assessment of the evolving geo political landscape
disruptive technologies, reforms in higher defence organisation, and the changing character of warfare.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Chief of the Naval Staff also hosted Sagar Manthan. The forum
facilitated a discussion between the Navy's top leadership and subject matter experts on `Reforming
Defence R&D and Capability Development through Greater Industry Participation’._____________________________________________________________
VM/SKY 74/26
(Release ID: 2253155) Visitor Counter : 131