The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully concluded the fifth edition of its Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) with a Capstone Seminar, bringing together senior military leaders, strategic experts and programme participants to deliberate on the evolving nature of aerospace warfare and national security.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh was the chief guest of the seminar held on June 29. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (Retd.), former Chiefs of the Air Staff and several distinguished veterans also participated, highlighting the strategic significance of the programme.
The Capstone Seminar marked the culmination of a rigorous six-month academic programme jointly conducted by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), New Delhi, and the College of Air Warfare (CAW), Hyderabad.
During the seminar, participating teams presented detailed research on two key themes: “Evolution of Aerospace Power: From Classical Strategy to Contemporary Limited Conflict” and “Future-proofing Aerospace Power: Innovation, Integration and Force Design.” The discussions focused on the changing character of warfare and the role of aerospace power in addressing emerging security challenges.
WASP is a specialised programme designed for mid-ranking officers of the Indian Air Force and is also open to personnel from the Army, Navy and the Ministry of Defence. The IAF said it plans to expand the programme in the future by inviting participants from friendly foreign countries, fostering greater international cooperation in strategic studies.
Unlike programmes that rely heavily on technology-driven learning, WASP places strong emphasis on extensive reading, critical analysis and the study of seminal works on military history, aerospace power, doctrine, technology and international relations. The curriculum also includes interactive discussions and engagements with globally renowned experts to strengthen strategic thinking among participants.
IAF said the programme seeks to institutionalise national security discourse by developing a strategic mindset and broadening the operational outlook of future military leaders. Alumni of the programme are currently serving in key positions across the government, leading think tanks and military educational institutions.
Addressing the participants, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh congratulated them on successfully completing the demanding programme and commended their academic discipline and perseverance. He encouraged the graduates to continue pursuing knowledge throughout their careers and to contribute actively to strengthening India’s ecosystem of strategic thought to meet future operational requirements.
The seminar also witnessed the release of the inaugural WASP–CAW Journal, a publication aimed at promoting research and informed discourse on aerospace strategy and national security.
