Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) of the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with Pentagon Press, hosted the second edition of the Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ in New Delhi on April 15, 2025. The event, held at the Manekshaw Centre, revolved around the theme, ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).

The festival gathered experts from the armed forces, strategic policymakers, industry leaders, and domain specialists to discuss pressing issues in India’s national security, focusing particularly on Defence Technology and Future Warfare, Defence Manufacturing, and Procurement Reforms. This article breaks down the main takeaways from the festival, focusing on the key issues discussed, their implications for India’s national security, and their relevance for exams in the defence and strategic affairs sector.

Key Points of the Festival

Focus on Defence Technology and Future Warfare

• Technology’s Role in Modern Warfare: Discussions focused on the integration of emerging technologies like AI, cyber technologies, quantum computing, drones, space technology, and semiconductors in military operations.
• Future Warfare: Key deliberations centered around the future of warfare, particularly the convergence of multiple domains (land, air, sea, cyber, and space) in modern defence strategies.
• AI and Cyber Technology: Emphasis was placed on the increasing importance of AI and cyber capabilities in enhancing operational efficiency and cybersecurity in military operations.

Defence Manufacturing and Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance)

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The event reiterated the importance of defence manufacturing and the government’s push for self-reliance in defence production.
• Made in India Technologies: The need for India to develop indigenous capabilities in defence technology and manufacturing was emphasized, with the aim of reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

Acquisition & Procurement Reforms

• Strategic Roadmap: Discussions centered around the ongoing acquisition reforms in India’s defence procurement, which are designed to modernize the military while ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in the process.
• Defence Procurement Policy: Experts also discussed the strategic importance of reforms in procurement policies, including the emphasis on public-private partnerships to improve technology transfer and innovation in defence.

Multi-Domain and Cross-Domain Capabilities

• Cross-Domain Operational Capabilities: The festival underscored the importance of multi-domain integration, where the military’s capabilities span across various domains like land, air, sea, cyber, and space.
• Emerging Security Paradigms: The focus on maritime security highlighted the growing challenges in securing India’s maritime boundaries and future strategies to ensure safety in the region.

Year of Reforms – 2025

• Announced by Raksha Mantri: Shri Rajnath Singh declared 2025 as the Year of Reforms for the Indian Armed Forces. This year marks a transformational phase for the Indian military, with a focus on turning it into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force.
• Mission Mode Approach: The government’s emphasis on mission-mode defence reforms, technology transfer, and public-private partnerships was outlined to ensure swift progress and enhanced operational efficiency.

Important Takeaways

• Strategic National Security Focus
• Defence Procurement Reforms
• Self-reliance in Defence
• Technological Integration