Lt Gen Rajiv K Sahni, AVSM, VSM, PhD, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and Colonel Commandant, carried out an extensive visit to Headquarters Southern Command, EME units, the Artificial Limb Centre, and leading defence industries in Pune.
During the visit, the senior officer reviewed ongoing operational and technical initiatives across EME establishments and interacted with personnel engaged in equipment sustenance, innovation, and indigenous capability development. He commended the EME units of Southern Command for maintaining a high level of mission reliability of combat-critical equipment through robust, well-planned sustenance and maintenance initiatives.
Lt Gen Sahni particularly lauded the development of a strong in-house ecosystem for the mass production of drones within Southern Command, describing it as a significant step towards enhancing operational readiness and reducing dependence on external sources. He praised the spirit of innovation demonstrated by EME personnel in adapting emerging technologies to meet battlefield requirements.
The Director General also appreciated the rapid absorption of additive manufacturing, robotics, and cobotics by Southern Command into day-to-day operational workflows. He noted that such technologies are transforming maintenance, repair, and production processes while reinforcing the Indian Army’s broader push towards technological self-reliance and modernisation.
The visit underscored the Indian Army’s continued focus on indigenisation, innovation, and future-ready engineering support, with EME units playing a central role in sustaining operational superiority across diverse terrains and missions.
