The Indian Air Force concluded the fifth Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) with a Capstone Seminar on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi. The seminar marked the end of a six-month Professional Military Education programme conducted by CAPSS (New Delhi) and the College of Air Warfare (Hyderabad).

✈️ What is the WASP Programme?

The Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) was initiated in 2022 as a Professional Military Education programme for mid-ranking officers of the Indian Air Force. The programme is also open to personnel from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and civilians from the Ministry of Defence, fostering a tri-service and inter-departmental strategic outlook. It is designed for strategic-level study, extensive reading and dialectical discourse.

🏛️ Conducting Institutions

WASP is jointly conducted by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) in New Delhi and the College of Air Warfare (CAW) in Hyderabad. Together these institutions provide the academic and doctrinal backbone for the six-month programme, blending classroom rigour with operational insight.

🎖️ Capstone Seminar and Participation

Air Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, attended the seminar as Chief Guest. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (Retd) and other veterans were also present at the New Delhi event. 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.

📌 Key Points (Important Facts for Exams)

  • WASP stands for Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme.
  • The fifth WASP concluded with a Capstone Seminar on 29 June 2026 in New Delhi.
  • WASP was initiated in 2022 as a Professional Military Education programme.
  • CAPSS is based in New Delhi and CAW is located in Hyderabad.
  • Air Marshal AP Singh (Chief of the Air Staff) was the Chief Guest.
  • The inaugural WASP CAW Journal was released during the seminar.
  • The programme is open to IAF, Army, Navy officers and MoD civilians.

🎯 Conclusion

WASP aims to institutionalise national security discourse and broaden the operational vision of future military leaders. With a stated plan to extend invitations to friendly foreign countries, the programme is steadily emerging as a flagship platform for aerospace strategic thought in India.

📝 Practice MCQs

Test your preparation — click "SHOW ANSWER" to reveal the correct option and explanation.

Q1. What does "WASP" stand for?

(a) Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme   (b) Weapons and Air Support Plan   (c) War Aviation Strategic Programme   (d) Wing Air Security Programme

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (a) Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme
Explanation: WASP stands for Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme.

Q2. In which year was the WASP programme initiated?

(a) 2018   (b) 2020   (c) 2022   (d) 2024

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (c) 2022
Explanation: WASP was initiated in 2022 as a Professional Military Education programme.

Q3. Which two institutions jointly conduct the WASP programme?

(a) NDA and IMA   (b) CAPSS (New Delhi) and CAW (Hyderabad)   (c) DRDO and HAL   (d) IAF Academy and AFA

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) CAPSS (New Delhi) and CAW (Hyderabad)
Explanation: CAPSS is in New Delhi and the College of Air Warfare (CAW) is in Hyderabad.

Q4. The College of Air Warfare (CAW) is located in which city?

(a) New Delhi   (b) Hyderabad   (c) Pune   (d) Bengaluru

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) Hyderabad
Explanation: The College of Air Warfare is located in Hyderabad.

Q5. Who attended the WASP Capstone Seminar as Chief Guest?

(a) Rajnath Singh   (b) Air Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff   (c) General Anil Chauhan   (d) The President

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) Air Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff
Explanation: Air Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, was the Chief Guest.

Q6. The duration of the WASP programme is:

(a) Three months   (b) Six months   (c) One year   (d) Two years

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) Six months
Explanation: WASP is a six-month Professional Military Education programme.

Q7. Which publication was released for the first time during the seminar?

(a) IAF Doctrine 2026   (b) WASP CAW Journal   (c) Aerospace Review   (d) Air Power Annual

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) WASP CAW Journal
Explanation: The inaugural WASP CAW Journal was released during the seminar.

Q8. WASP is primarily designed for which group?

(a) New recruits   (b) Mid-ranking IAF officers (also open to Army, Navy and MoD civilians)   (c) Only civilians   (d) Only retired officers

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) Mid-ranking IAF officers
Explanation: WASP targets mid-ranking IAF officers and is also open to Army, Navy and MoD civilians.

Q9. Which former Chief of Defence Staff was present at the seminar?

(a) General Bipin Rawat   (b) General Anil Chauhan (Retd)   (c) General MM Naravane   (d) Admiral Karambir Singh

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) General Anil Chauhan (Retd)
Explanation: Former CDS General Anil Chauhan (Retd) was present at the event.

Q10. A stated future plan of WASP is to:

(a) Become a degree course   (b) Extend invitations to friendly foreign countries   (c) Merge with NDA   (d) Shift fully online

👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼
Answer: (b) Extend invitations to friendly foreign countries
Explanation: WASP has a stated future plan to invite personnel from friendly foreign countries.