Outgoing Army Chief Dwivedi Maps India's Future Wars: Integrated, Joint, and Theatre-Oriented

As General Upendra Dwivedi concluded his distinguished tenure as India's Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday, he cast a clear vision for the future of warfare, emphasizing that conflicts will increasingly be 'joint, integrated and theatre-oriented'. His final remarks underscore a major shift in India's military strategy, stressing that the armed forces must 'see together, take decisions together and take actions together' to tackle evolving security challenges. General Dwivedi officially handed over command to General Dhiraj Seth, who assumed office as the 31st Army Chief on the same day. This call for deeper integration is at the heart of India's ambitious military reforms, notably the push for Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs). ITCs aim to merge the strengths of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force under a single commander for specific geographical areas, moving away from the traditional, separate service commands. Recent exercises like 'Operation Sindoor' in late 2025 have already showcased this growing synergy, demonstrating effective multi-domain operations across land, air, sea, cyber, and information domains. General Dwivedi's leadership also prioritized technology-driven warfare, including advanced drones, Artificial Intelligence, and a strong focus on self-reliance through the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. The roadmap for these significant changes is already well underway, with a finalized framework for three Integrated Theatre Commands – Northern, Western, and Maritime – submitted to the Ministry of Defence by early 2026. Furthermore, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed in May 2026 that a Joint Operations Centre (JOCC) was set to become operational, further enhancing coordination and unified action. These ongoing reforms signal India's commitment to building a modern, agile, and cohesive fighting force, prepared for the complex challenges of future conflicts.