Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has stressed upon the Five Pillars of Transformation encompassing technology absorption, structural changes, human resource development and increasing cohesion between the three services. Delivering the valedictory address of the Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC-20) at the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, General Dwivedi gave a holistic roadmap of the Indian Army to become a future ready combat force.

The COAS highlighted the Army’s commitment to becoming a technologically advanced, adaptive and self-reliant force capable of addressing complex future challenges. He stressed upon the need to move from process driven approach to outcome driven approach to transition from measure of performance to measure of effectiveness. The COAS underscored the alignment of the Army’s transformative goals and deliberated upon the three phases of Era of Transition, Era of Consolidation and Era of Control.

General Dwivedi emphasised that Armed forces must be mobile, agile and technologically competent; capable for contributing in all spheres of national security towards achieving vision viksit bharat by 2047 through Atmanirbharta, and remain a key pillar of national power and a preferred security partner in the region.

The event marked the successful completion of the flagship Higher Defence Management Course by 167 officers from the Indian Armed Forces, including 14 officers from friendly foreign nations. HDMC is a premier programme designed to equip senior military officers with strategic foresight, management expertise, and decision-making acumen crucial for higher defence management and policymaking roles.

The COAS addressed the Future Strategic Leaders on multitude of significant issues from transformation of the armed forces to role and responsibilities towards nation building. He exhorted the graduating officers to be imaginative and develop the attitude and adaptability to channelise their ability and imbibe the principles of Truth, Trust and Transparency to deal with future challenges. As a mark of recognition, the COAS felicitated meritorious officers for their outstanding performance, acknowledging their exemplary contributions and academic excellence.

The valedictory ceremony was graced by senior military officials, faculty members and distinguished guests, underscoring the significance of the occasion. The graduating officers are now poised to take on critical command and staff roles and carry forward the invaluable knowledge and strategic insights gained at CDM, reinforcing their commitment to national security and higher defence management.