Defence Conclave Highlights Importance of Integrated Warfighting in Future Conflicts

The recent Joint Operations Conclave aimed to enhance intra-service and inter-service collaboration within the Indian defence forces, focusing on integrated warfighting capabilities in a complex multi-domain environment.

The Joint Operations Conclave, held on February 5-6, aimed to enhance cooperation among the Indian defence services at an operational level. The event, hosted by the Headquarters Western Air Command (HQ WAC) in New Delhi, sought to improve joint operational capabilities in a complex multi-domain environment. This initiative was part of the All Domain Joint Operations (ADJO) Exercise 2026 Framework.

The conclave's discussions were attended by senior officers from various defence sectors, including the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Army, Navy, Defence Space Agency (DSA), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Leaders from the Indian Air Force also participated. The event focused on fostering jointness and operational synergy to meet national security goals.

Enhancing Joint Operational Capabilities

Air Marshal J S Mann, Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command, stressed the need for integrated warfighting in modern conflicts. He highlighted the importance of an all-domain approach that integrates air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains for effective outcomes. Mann also emphasised improving interoperability and refining operational procedures for efficiency.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, discussed institutionalising joint mechanisms for planning and intelligence sharing. He stressed the importance of identifying capability gaps and prioritising resources to enhance operational preparedness. Dixit advocated for advancing all-domain integration to achieve unified operational outcomes.

Strategic Lessons and Future Directions

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command, shared insights from Operation Sindoor. He highlighted air power's strategic role and the need to synchronise surface manoeuvres with air operations. Mishra called for moving away from outdated models towards a more integrated joint warfighting approach.

The ADJO Exercise 2026 is seen as a crucial step in building a future-ready joint force capable of addressing modern security challenges. It underscores the defence forces' commitment to jointness and continuous adaptation for national security objectives.

The conclave reaffirmed the defence forces' dedication to creating a truly interoperable force. By focusing on joint operations and strategic readiness, the Indian military aims to strengthen its capabilities across all domains.

With inputs from PTI