The Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 was held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from September 15 to 17. The apex-level forum of the Armed Forces brought together senior leadership from the Ministry of Defence and the three Services to shape the future roadmap of India’s defence preparedness.
This year’s theme, “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future,” focused on strengthening jointness, advancing capability development, and ensuring alignment with national security priorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh addressed the conference, praising the Armed Forces for their dedication in safeguarding the nation.
Prime Minister Modi said the Armed Forces must remain ready for future challenges by strengthening jointness, innovation and Aatmanirbharta. “India’s Armed Forces are a source of pride. The focus must remain on jointness, indigenous capability and innovation to enhance operational readiness,” he said.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh highlighted the need for agility and resilience in a turbulent global order. “The Armed Forces must go beyond traditional concepts of war and be prepared for invisible challenges such as information, ecological and biological warfare,” he noted. He urged the Services to remain vigilant amid shifting regional and global security dynamics.
The three-day conference featured live demonstrations of air defence and counter-drone operations, release of the Joint Military Space Doctrine, and in-depth discussions on future warfare, information warfare, and multi-domain operations. Sessions also examined procurement reforms, force readiness, ex-servicemen welfare, and the evolving regional security landscape.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan presented a comprehensive review of reforms undertaken in recent years, stressing the need for a technology-led approach and integrated operations across space, cyber, and information domains.
