Kalam & Kavach 3.0 Returns in April 2026

New Delhi is all set to witness Kalam & Kavach 3.0, India’s premier defence dialogue platform from 14-15 April 2026. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), service chiefs, Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and senior leadership from the ministry of defence are expected to be a part.

The platform is designed to drive outcome-oriented engagement at the highest levels of India’s defence and security establishment.

Building on the strong policy and industry momentum generated at Kalam & Kavach 2.0 (2025), widely acknowledged as ‘The Year of Reforms’, the 2026 edition represents a clear progression from reform intent to implementation. The previous conclave catalysed discussions on joint theatre commands, AI-enabled and data-driven warfighting, emerging doctrines, and the repositioning of Indian industry as a strategic co-developer of national defence capability.

Kalam & Kavach 3.0 will take the vision of JAI--Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation--forward. The forum will focus on translating policy direction into executable pathways, such as strategic partnerships, accelerated R&D and test-to-deployment mechanisms, and policy-aligned financing models.

These discussions will culminate in a strategic White Paper capturing actionable recommendations for consideration by senior leadership.

With the presence of India’s top defence decision-makers, Kalam & Kavach 3.0 offers select industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders a focused platform to engage directly with policymakers, shape policy-aligned narratives, and position themselves at the forefront of India’s defence innovation and manufacturing ecosystem---aligned with national priorities and the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.