The Indian Army’s elite Battle Axe Division, operating under the Southern Command, has successfully wrapped up a demanding field firing exercise in the arid expanse of Rajasthan. The drill, titled ‘Silent Sands, Roaring Tanks,’ was a display of coordinated mechanised operations, tactical maneuvers, and live-fire drills designed to test and enhance the division’s combat proficiency in desert warfare scenarios.
Renowned for its historic role in the Battle of Laungwala during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Battle Axe Division once again demonstrated its legacy of resilience and tactical excellence. The exercise focused on executing precise firepower delivery and seamless unit coordination, reinforcing the Army’s preparedness to respond to a range of operational situations in difficult terrain.
This field exercise aligns with the Indian Army’s ongoing ‘Year of Transformation’ initiative, which seeks to modernize and indigenize operational capabilities. As part of this transformation, the Army has recently incorporated advanced military technologies, including tethered drones for surveillance and state-of-the-art tank-driving simulators to enhance training efficiency and battlefield readiness.
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, consisting of 27 battalions, formed a vital component of the exercise, underlining its strategic role in rapid armoured deployment and integrated battle group formations. Their performance during the exercise showcased the regiment’s combat agility and ability to adapt swiftly to evolving operational challenges.
Through exercises like ‘Silent Sands, Roaring Tanks,’ the Indian Army reaffirms its focus on maintaining high levels of combat readiness, fostering jointness across commands, and strengthening its deterrent posture in diverse terrains across the country.
