On May 28, 2025, Lieutenant General PS Shekhawat, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Madhya Bharat Area, conducted a key visit to the Army Air Defence Centre in Gopalpur, Odisha, under the Indian Army’s Central Command. The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance training quality and operational readiness in the face of evolving modern warfare challenges.
During the visit, Lt Gen Shekhawat closely reviewed the comprehensive training programs offered at the Army Air Defence Centre, a prestigious institution established in 1989 initially as the Air Defence & Guided Missile School. Since gaining autonomy in 1994 after the Corps of Army Air Defence separated from the Regiment of Artillery, the centre has grown into a state-of-the-art training hub. Its facilities include the Gopalpur seaward firing range, which extends over 75 kilometers and is used for live weapon firing and outdoor exercises.
The GOC praised the high standards of training at the centre, particularly focusing on the Agniveers — soldiers recruited under the government’s Agnipath scheme introduced in June 2022. This innovative program recruits youth for a four-year term, retaining only 25% for permanent service, to build a young, dynamic, and technologically skilled force. Lt Gen Shekhawat encouraged the Agniveers to pursue professional excellence and adapt to the complexities of modern warfare that demand technical proficiency and strategic thinking.
Spanning 2,728 acres, the Army Air Defence Centre offers extensive infrastructure including the Nalanda Library, AIMA Auditorium, Sibia Sports Complex, and the scenic Samudrika sea beach, fostering both skill development and overall well-being of its personnel. Situated in Odisha, within the Central Command’s Area of Responsibility, the centre plays a crucial role in training and readiness across eight states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Lt Gen Shekhawat’s visit aligns with his wider role as GOC Madhya Bharat Area, a vital formation responsible for sectors along India’s western border with Pakistan and the Uttarakhand sector adjoining the Indo-Tibet and Indo-Nepal borders. His previous engagements, such as the visit to the Jharkhand and Bihar Sub Area in October 2024, reflect a consistent focus on infrastructure enhancement, welfare improvements, and operational strengthening.
This visit underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to advancing its air defence capabilities, a key pillar of national security amid increasing regional tensions. The emphasis on training Agniveers reflects a strategic vision to build a more agile and technologically adept force capable of meeting future challenges.
