New Delhi: In an effort to leverage their collective wisdom and bonhomie, the Indian Army on Thursday (February 5, 2026) launched a digital platform that would bring the retired personnel together, including those foreign military officers who trained at Indian academies.
The Army launched the unique platform, ‘Friends for Life’, for the veterans to serve as a bridge connecting generations of military leaders from 99 countries who trained together at Indian Army training establishments.
In the past decade alone, the Army has trained over 21,500 service personnel from friendly foreign countries, according to military officers.
The Army said the portal would allow strengthening professional engagement and rekindling bonds among Indian and foreign alumni.
At the launch, defence attachés from 39 friendly foreign countries were present, and they would act as the intermediates to get Indian military academies’ alumni from their countries to register on the portal, they said.
“Through the launch, the Army is not only connecting its alumni but also weaving a global network of friendships that will strengthen institutions, enhance collaboration, improve interoperability and contribute to deeper defence cooperation,” the officers said.
“The aim is to foster strong bonds between students of friendly foreign countries and training establishments, they added.
The web portal would be the medium to reconnect and serve as a springboard for further involvements. The web portal has been developed in order to maintain a life-long connection between the training establishments.