Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the Dehu Road Military Station today to witness a cutting-edge demonstration of modified in-service ammunition at the 29 Field Ammunition Depot. The event featured indigenous innovations aimed at enhancing India’s defense self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The demonstration showcased advancements in ammunition technology developed through Indian industrial capabilities. These efforts contribute to the Ministry of Defence’s reported 16.5% increase in indigenous procurement in 2024. A 2023 RAND Corporation study had earlier noted that India’s dependence on foreign defence imports has decreased by 25% over the last decade, a shift strengthened by such localized innovations.
Lt Gen Seth also visited the Central Ordnance Depot and praised its strategic role in ensuring the timely delivery of critical stores during operational deployments. He interacted with both troops and civilian staff, stressing the importance of innovation and logistics modernization to improve responsiveness to frontline needs, a challenge that had been notably exposed during the 1999 Kargil War.
The visit is in line with the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” plan and the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” which aims to advance India’s military capabilities through technology-driven self-sufficiency and operational efficiency.
