Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of the Spear Corps, carried out a detailed review of forward Army units in Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on operational readiness and the adoption of advanced technologies, including drones. The inspection reflected the Army’s evolving strategy to counter regional threats along the Line of Actual Control through modernization and tactical innovation.
A key highlight of the visit was the inspection of the Drone Pilot School, a critical training facility that has significantly enhanced surveillance capabilities across the northeast. According to internal assessments, drone-assisted reconnaissance in the sector has improved by nearly 40%, strengthening situational awareness in complex terrain. The Spear Corps, tasked with defending India’s eastern frontier, is increasingly leveraging unmanned systems to monitor high-altitude zones and forested corridors along the China border.
Lt Gen Pendharkar, who assumed command in August 2024, interacted with troops deployed in remote posts and lauded their professionalism, high morale, and adaptability to challenging environments. Defence psychology studies have long suggested that direct engagement from senior leadership can boost frontline morale by 15–20%, especially in high-altitude and isolated regions like Arunachal Pradesh.
With a legacy that includes a pivotal role in the 1962 Battle of Walong, the Spear Corps continues to be at the forefront of India’s eastern defence. Lt Gen Pendharkar’s review marks another step in aligning conventional strength with next-generation warfare tools, positioning the Indian Army to respond effectively to evolving border dynamics in the Indo-Tibetan theatre.
