Mhow: In a significant address underscoring the Indian Army’s push towards self-reliance, Lieutenant General Vipul Shinghal, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems & Technology) [DCOAS (IS&T)], emphasised the need for accelerated technology absorption and seamless integration of indigenous solutions during the Strategic Fusion & Convergence Capsule (SFCC) 2026.
Army War College (AWC) Commandant Lt Gen HS Sahi, Higher Command Wing commander Maj Gen SS Kartikeya, along with other senior officers of the college were also present in the programme.
Speaking to a select gathering of officers from across the Indian Armed Forces at the AWC in Mhow, Lt Gen Shinghal highlighted the critical role of the Whole-of-Nation Approach (WONA) in developing and operationalising “organic technologies”, home-grown systems designed, developed, and sustained within India’s defence ecosystem. He described WONA as a collaborative framework that brings together the armed forces, industry, academia, research institutions, and government stakeholders to fast-track innovation and reduce external dependencies.
He linked this strategy directly to the Indian Army’s long-term modernisation roadmap under ‘Vision@2047’, which envisions a fully transformed, technologically sovereign force by the centenary of India’s independence. “Technology absorption is not merely about procurement; it is about building organic capabilities that can be rapidly integrated into our operational doctrines,” Lt Gen Shinghal told participants.
The remarks come at a time when the Indian Army is intensifying efforts to indigenise critical domains such as information systems, artificial intelligence, cyber defence, and networked warfare platforms. By prioritising WONA, the Army aims to create a robust domestic innovation pipeline that supports Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) while ensuring technologies are tailored to India-specific operational requirements, from high-altitude border areas to multi-domain battle spaces.
The SFCC 2026, hosted by the Army War College Mhow, is a high-level professional development programme designed to foster strategic convergence among defence services. The capsule brings together mid-to-senior level officers for intensive deliberations on emerging threats, doctrinal evolution, and capability development. Sessions at the event have already featured addresses by other senior leaders and domain experts on topics ranging from strategic communication to joint operational frameworks.
Lt Gen Shinghal’s intervention is being seen as a clear signal of the Army’s top-level commitment to translating policy intent into actionable outcomes. Defence analysts note that such emphasis on organic technology integration aligns with broader national initiatives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, including the promotion of private sector participation in defence R&D and the progressive indigenisation of critical platforms.
The Army War College Mhow, one of the premier training institutions of the Indian Army, continues to serve as a vital hub for shaping future military thought leadership. The ongoing SFCC 2026 is expected to yield actionable recommendations that will feed into the force’s technology roadmap for the coming decade.
This latest push reinforces the Indian Army’s resolve to evolve from a platform-centric force to a network-enabled, decision-dominant military ready to meet 21st-century challenges through indigenous innovation and whole-of-nation synergy.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
