Joint Operational Review and Evaluation Program 2026 Concludes at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
Organized by the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters, the five-day event brought together officials from the three armed forces and various ministries to discuss emerging national security challenges and modern warfare systems.
The 'Joint Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Program 2026' concluded at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Organized by the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters (HQ IDS) and conducted by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CJWS), the program ran from September 14 to 18, 2026.
Senior officers from the three services, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Home Affairs, participated in the five-day event. The primary objective of the program was to deliberate on current and future challenges related to national security. Through this platform, military and civilian officials shared their perspectives on critical topics such as jointness, integration, ongoing conflicts, modern warfare skills, defense production, and capacity development.
During the discussions, special emphasis was placed on the utilization of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and quantum computing. Additionally, focus was directed toward cognitive warfare, strategic communication, and operations to counter misinformation.
A key highlight of the program was the direct interaction between the top leadership of the armed forces and the participants. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Chief of the Naval Staff, and the CISC engaged in conversations regarding modern warfare methods, high-level decision-making processes, and contemporary security challenges. Furthermore, the Vice Chief of the Air Staff and the Vice Chief of the Army Staff also interacted with the officers to share their views.
Subject matter experts, academics, thinkers, and representatives from various government institutions also took part in the event. This diverse participation facilitated discussions on the evolving nature of warfare and the necessity of a coordinated national response to address security challenges.
The program contributed to strengthening mutual synergy and cooperation among the defense forces, civilian ministries, and key institutions. The discussions underscored that achieving national security requires better coordination across diplomatic, informational, economic, and military domains, adopting a 'Whole-of-Nation' approach.
