Indian Air Force Concludes Fifth Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP)

Key Facts

• The fifth Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) concluded with a Capstone Seminar on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi.
• It is a six-month Professional Military Education programme initiated in 2022, jointly conducted by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), New Delhi, and the College of Air Warfare (CAW), Hyderabad.
• Participants include mid-ranking officers from the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and civilians from the Ministry of Defence.
• Air Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, was the Chief Guest at the seminar. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (Retd) and other veterans attended.
• Participants presented analyses on two themes: "Evolution of Aerospace Power: From Classical Strategy to Contemporary Limited Conflict," and "Future-proofing Aerospace Power: Innovation, Integration and Force Design."
• The inaugural WASP CAW Journal was released during the seminar.
• The programme aims to institutionalise national security discourse and broaden the operational vision of future leaders.
• There are plans to invite friendly foreign countries to participate in future editions.

Background & Context

WASP was initiated in 2022 as a strategic education programme targeting mid-ranking Indian Air Force officers, and also open to selected officers from other services and civilians involved in national security. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum covering geopolitics, grand strategy, military history, aerospace power, information warfare, technology, and hybrid warfare. Conducted over six months, it fosters critical thinking and cross-domain knowledge blending. The collaboration between CAPSS and CAW reflects the Indian Air Force's emphasis on aerospace power in strategic defense planning.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

• WASP exemplifies India's efforts to professionalize and modernize military education with a focus on aerospace and multi-domain operations.
• It reflects the Indian Air Force’s evolving role in national security and the importance of integrating air power with other domains.
• The programme's inclusion of tri-service and civilian participants indicates the growing emphasis on jointness and civil-military integration in defense planning.
• Key personalities associated with WASP, such as Air Marshal AP Singh and General Anil Chauhan, are relevant for current defense studies.
• Questions on recent developments in Indian defense education and strategy programmes may require knowledge of WASP and its objectives.
• Relevant names, dates, institutions, and themes offer fact-based anchor points for multiple-choice questions or descriptive answers.

Points to Remember

• The fifth WASP was completed on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi.
• WASP is a six-month Professional Military Education programme started in 2022.
• It is jointly conducted by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), New Delhi, and the College of Air Warfare (CAW), Hyderabad.
• Participants are mid-ranking officers from IAF, Army, Navy, and civilians from Ministry of Defence.
• Air Marshal AP Singh attended as Chief Guest; former CDS General Anil Chauhan and veterans were present.
• The programme themes focus on aerospace power evolution and innovation.
• WASP seeks to institutionalize national security discourse and develop future strategic leaders.
• Future editions plan to include friendly foreign countries.