Kalam & Kavach 2.0: Defence Literature Festival Highlights India’s Push for Technological and Strategic Reforms

The Indian defence policy has entered a transformational period due to its multiple modernization efforts focused on producing domestic capabilities and utilizing technological progress in military operational practices. The Kalam & Kavach festival creates opportunities for strategic discussions and brings military command with government policy and industry specialists as well as educational experts into a cohesive space. The event demonstrates how India plans to defend itself in the 21st century.

Context:

• The Defence Literature Festival – ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ organized its second edition by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) from the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) together with the Ministry of Defence on April 15, 2025 in New Delhi. 

• The festival used “Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms” as its theme while exploring India's strategic infrastructure for upcoming warfare technologies along with defensive manufacturing goals which mirrored the national initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Points:

Organizers and Theme:

• Organised by: The festival operated under the organizational direction of Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS)

• Supported by: The event received backing from HQ Integrated Defence Staff together with the Ministry of Defence.

• Partner: Pentagon Press

• Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi

• Theme (2025): "Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms"

Key Focus Areas:

• Defence Technology & Future Warfare

• Defence Manufacturing and Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance)

• Acquisition and Procurement Reforms

• Emerging Technologies in Warfare:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Cyber and Quantum Technologies

  • Drones and Unmanned Systems

  • Space Technology

  • Semiconductors

Strategic Significance:

• Defence reforms receive a mission-oriented operational approach through this initiative

• The initiative enables public and private sectors to collaborate for technology sharing purposes.

• The program enhances military operational coverage across four platforms that combine land, sea, air, cyber and space.

• Addresses maritime security and strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific

• Focuses on combat readiness through modernization and integrated operations

Notable Announcements:

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh announced that 2025 would become the ‘Year of Reforms’.

• The Armed Forces require a total transformation into a combat-prepared technological force.

• Emphasis on multi-domain integration and future conflict preparedness

Conclusion:

The strategic defense direction of India became visible at 'Kalam & Kavach 2.0' when literature united with thought leadership and national security objectives. The government dedicated itself to defence innovation alongside indigenization and reform-based modernization. The festival unified stakeholders to develop a unified vision of India emerging as a secure and independent technologically-advanced world power.