Three-day Navy Commanders’ Conference to start in New Delhi on September 29

On the opening day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the naval commanders and share his vision and guidance on national maritime perspectives and the government’s expectations from the Navy. File. | Photo Credit: ANI The Indian Navy’s apex leadership will undertake a comprehensive review of the force’s operational preparedness, including its ongoing Operation Urja Suraksha amid the conflicts in West Asia, at the three-day Commanders’ Conference 2026 beginning in New Delhi on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).The Navy said the second biannual Commanders’ Conference of 2026 will be held at Nausena Bhawan from September 29 to October 1. The conference will bring together senior naval leadership, including operational and area commanders from various commands, for a military-strategic review of the Navy’s preparedness and priorities.The conference assumes significance against the backdrop of the Navy’s continuing efforts to safeguard India’s maritime interests and ensure the security of energy supplies amid heightened instability in West Asia. The Navy’s conduct of Operation Urja Suraksha has also reinforced its role as a security partner in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.The operation was launched by the Navy on March 27, 2026, to protect India-bound energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf amidst the tensions in West Asia.On the opening day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the naval commanders and share his vision and guidance on national maritime perspectives and the government’s expectations from the Navy.The Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff will also interact with the naval commanders, with the engagements aimed at strengthening tri-services’ synergy, jointness and integration.Logistics and trainingDuring the subsequent sessions, the Chief of the Naval Staff, along with the Commanders-in-Chief, will review key areas covering operations, material, logistics, human resources and training.The conference will also focus on accelerating the induction and absorption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, autonomous and uncrewed systems and cyber operations. The discussions are expected to emphasise the need for newer warfighting concepts and faster adoption of cutting-edge technologies.The Navy’s apex leadership will also assess overall force preparedness and ways to optimise force levels and enhance combat readiness in line with the three foundational pillars of JAI – jointness, aatmanirbharta and innovation.The deliberations will be aligned with the government’s broader objectives of achieving greater self-reliance in defence and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.The Navy, which continues to maintain a high operational tempo, is seeking to strengthen its combat readiness and emerge as a credible, cohesive and future-ready force while safeguarding the country’s maritime interests, a press release said. Published - September 28, 2026 09:59 pm IST