**Executive Summary**
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the third edition of the "Kalam & Kavach" conference on May 14, 2026, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event serves as a strategic platform to deliberate on India’s defence transformation, indigenous capability development, and future warfighting preparedness. Centered on the themes of Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation (JAI) alongside Indigenisation and International Collaboration (I²), the conference aims to align strategic partnerships with national security objectives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Vision and Objectives**
* Focuses on the "JAI" framework: Jointness, Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Innovation.
* Prioritizes "I²": Indigenisation and International Collaboration to advance integrated military capabilities.
* Aims to support the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047.
**Advanced Technologies and Future Warfare**
* Deliberations on future-proofing warfighting through AI-enabled warfare and autonomous systems.
* Discussion on cutting-edge sectors including hypersonic technologies and quantum-enabled C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance).
* Addressing emerging threats in space and low-earth orbit (LEO).
* Emphasis on achieving seamless Tri-service integration.
**Industrial Growth and Global Partnerships**
* Scaling defence manufacturing via MSME participation and iDEX-driven innovation ecosystems.
* Utilization of defence industrial corridors to enhance indigenous production capabilities and scalability.
* Examination of strategic global partnerships, co-development models, and technology transfer frameworks.
* Focus on how international collaborations can strengthen India’s defence-industrial base.
**Impact Analysis**
**Military Leadership and Government Bodies (CDS, CNS, MoD, DRDO, HQ IDS)**
**Impact**
These stakeholders are central to the strategic sessions regarding future warfighting edges and Tri-service integration.
**Action Required**
Participate in high-level deliberations to align technological innovation with national security objectives and future preparedness.
**Indian Defence Industry (MSMEs, Start-ups, and Large Corporations)**
**Impact**
The event highlights opportunities for industrial scaling, innovation through iDEX, and involvement in defence industrial corridors.
**Action Required**
Focus on indigenous production scalability and engage in co-development models to support Aatmanirbharta.
**International Stakeholders (Foreign Ambassadors, Defence Attaches, and Global Corporations)**
**Impact**
International partners are identified as key contributors to technology transfer and strategic global partnerships.
**Action Required**
Explore trusted collaborations and frameworks for technology transfer to strengthen India's defence-industrial base.
**Academia and Strategic Think Tanks**
**Impact**
These groups provide the intellectual framework for deliberating on evolving defence transformations and strategic expertise.
**Action Required**
Contribute research and strategic insights during keynote addresses and fireside conversations to shape the future security landscape.
Key Entities Referenced
Kalam & Kavach 3.0: A premier strategic conference and platform focused on India’s defence transformation, indigenous capability development, and future warfighting preparedness.
Ministry of Defence: The primary government ministry responsible for national security and the strategic oversight of the Kalam & Kavach initiative.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national policy vision for self-reliance that serves as the core strategic framework for discussions on indigenisation and defence manufacturing.
iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): An initiative highlighted as a driver for the innovation ecosystem and MSME participation within the defence-industrial base.
Viksit Bharat@2047: A referenced long-term policy vision for achieving a developed India by 2047 through production scalability and technological advancement.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri to inaugurate Kalam &
Kavach 3.0 themed ‘Taking JAI Forward With I²’
Posted On: 13 MAY 2026 5:46PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the third edition of Kalam & Kavach at Manekshaw
Centre, New Delhi on May 14, 2026. The conference will serve as a premier strategic platform bringing
together senior policy makers, military leadership, defence industry stakeholders, diplomats, innovators,
start-ups, academia & strategic experts to deliberate on India’s evolving defence transformation,
indigenous capability development, and future warfighting preparedness.
The event is centred around the strategic vision of Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation (JAI), along
with emphasis on Indigenisation and International Collaboration (I²). It seeks to advance discussions on
integrated military capability development, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships in line
with the national security objectives and the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The event includes a series of high-level strategic sessions, keynote addresses, fireside conversations, and
industry engagements focusing on the future of India’s defence and security landscape. It will witness
participation of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K
Tripathi, senior officials from Ministry of Defence, HQ IDS, DRDO, National Security Advisory Board,
foreign ambassadors, defence attaches from friendly countries, global defence corporations, Indian
industry leaders, MSMEs, start-ups, and leading strategic think tanks. The inaugural session will also
feature a special address by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff
Committee (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit along with senior representatives from the strategic &
defence ecosystem.
Key thematic discussions include future-proofing India’s warfighting edge, focusing on AI-enabled
warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic technologies, quantum-enabled Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities,
emerging space and low-earth orbit threats, and Tri-service integration. From partnership to capability, the
discussion will examine strategic global partnerships, co-development models, advanced defence
manufacturing, and technology transfer frameworks.
Accelerating Aatmanirbharta & scaling defence manufacturing, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 aims to highlight
MSME participation, iDEX-driven innovation ecosystems, defence industrial corridors, indigenous
production capabilities, and production scalability for achieving Viksit Bharat@2047. The event will focus
on global partnerships, Indian advantage and exploring how trusted international collaborations can
strengthen India’s defence-industrial base while supporting indigenous capability development.
***
VK/Savvy
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