New Delhi, India — The Naval Armament Organisation (NAO) successfully concluded its 24th Officers-in-Charge (OIC) Conference and the 7th IT, Project and Infrastructure Meeting (IPIM), held from 12–13 February 2026 at the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), DRDO, Mussoorie.
The two-day event brought together senior leadership and key officers to focus on preparedness, digital transformation and future-ready armament infrastructure to support the Indian Navy’s expanding operational requirements.
Details of Naval Armament Organisation OIC Conference 2026
Under the chairmanship of Shri Divakar Jayant, INAS, Director General of Naval Armament, senior officers including Chief General Managers and General Managers of Naval Armament Depots participated in high-level sessions.
These sessions emphasized:
- Improving administrative efficiency and personnel management.
- Reviewing engineering technologies used across armament depots.
- Assessing ongoing IT initiatives enhancing operational workflows.
- Evaluating infrastructure readiness supporting nationwide deployment.
The conference enabled leaders to align on strategic goals and standardize best practices across units entrusted with armament maintenance and support functions.
Aatmanirbharta
In his opening remarks, Shri Divakar Jayant highlighted the importance of Aatmanirbharta — self-reliance — especially in armament maintenance and infrastructure development. The Director General applauded the armament depots for their consistent support to India’s naval fleet and stressed adopting sustainable and innovative practices to respond effectively to emerging security challenges in the maritime domain.
Self-reliance is now a core pillar of India’s defence framework, aligning with national aspirations to reduce dependency on external systems and strengthen indigenous capabilities.
Naval Armament Organisation OIC Conference 2026: Roadmap for Digital Transformation
One of the most significant outcomes of the conference was the development of a digital transformation roadmap for the Naval Armament Organisation. This plan focuses on leveraging technological advancements in information systems to:
- Boost operational efficiency of armament depots.
- Integrate digital workflows across personnel and infrastructure management.
- Improve real-time reporting and decision-making.
- Enhance cybersecurity and digital resilience of armament systems.
This digital push aligns with broader defence modernization goals, ensuring the NAO remains future-ready and technologically adaptive to support India’s maritime interests.
Supporting India’s Expanding Naval Footprint
The Indian Navy’s operational footprint is expanding rapidly as India strengthens its maritime diplomacy, participates in multinational exercises, and enhances presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Efficient armament support and infrastructure readiness are vital in sustaining these efforts.
By reinforcing administrative competence, digital infrastructure, and strategic coordination, the NAO plays a pivotal role in enhancing India’s defensive readiness at sea.
Importance of ITM, DRDO and Capacity Building
The Institute of Technology Management (ITM) under DRDO hosted the event, emphasizing civil-military collaboration in training and technology adoption. Institutions like ITM support defence preparedness by providing advanced training in technology integration, leadership development, and infrastructure knowledge — a key enabler in the nation’s Defence sector.
