The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme 2026, organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and conducted by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), concluded at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The five-day programme, held from September 14 to 18, brought together senior officers from the three Services and officials from the ministry of defence (MoD), ministry of external affairs (MEA) and ministry of home affairs (MHA) for deliberations on contemporary and emerging national security challenges.

The programme provided a platform for senior military and civil officials to exchange perspectives on jointness, integration, ongoing conflicts, modern ways of warfighting, non-kinetic aspects of national security, defence production and capability development. Discussions also focused on the application of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Quantum Computing, along with cognitive warfare, strategic communication and counter-disinformation operations.

A significant feature of the programme was the participation and direct interaction of senior military leadership with the course participants. The Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of The Naval Staff and CISC interacted with the participants and discussed contemporary issues relating to modern-day warfighting, decision-making at the apex level and prevailing security challenges. The Vice Chief of Air Staff and Vice Chief of Army Staff also interacted with the officers and shared their perspectives on contemporary issues.

The programme also witnessed participation from Subject Matter Experts, academia, think tanks and representatives of various government institutions. The diverse participation facilitated comprehensive discussions on the changing character of warfare and the need for coordinated national responses to emerging security challenges.

The CORE programme further contributed to strengthening inter-departmental coordination and inter-agency jointness by bringing the defence forces, civil ministries and key institutions together on a common platform. The deliberations underscored the importance of closer coordination across diplomatic, informational, economic and military domains and reinforced the need for a Whole-of-Nation approach to national security. Scenario-based exercises on cognitive warfare and strategic communication further enriched the learning and deliberations.