New Delhi, April 11. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition in Pune, Kalam & Kavach returns with a renewed focus on India’s defence transformation. The second edition of the strategic dialogue platform, titled ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0: Securing India’s Rise Through Defence Reforms’, will be held on April 15 at the Manekshaw Centre’s Ashoka Hall in New Delhi.
Organised by Pentagon Press and the Defence Observer and Analyst Platform (DOAP), the event aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Defence Reforms’. It aims to foster meaningful conversations around critical areas such as the integration of emerging technologies, boosting self-reliance in defence manufacturing, and overhauling procurement and acquisition systems.
The day-long event will bring together an array of prominent voices in the Indian defence landscape, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, former chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, defence public sector units, and key figures from the private sector.
A major highlight of the event will be the launch of Ready, Relevant and Resurgent, a new book authored by General Chauhan. The book lays out a visionary roadmap for transforming the Indian Army, touching upon modern warfare, strategic readiness, and organisational restructuring. With a foreword by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the work encapsulates India’s aspirations for a future-ready, self-reliant military in an evolving global security environment.
Kalam & Kavach 2.0 is supported by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the official think tank under the Integrated Defence Staff, and strategic partner CyberPeace Foundation. Organisers emphasise that the event is more than a forum – it’s a mission to institutionalise policy dialogue, foster public-private collaboration, and generate actionable insights for strengthening India’s defence ecosystem.
