The Indian Army’s only amphibious warfare formation showcased its operational prowess and technological advancements during a high-level review by Lieutenant General Prit Pal Singh, AVSM, General Officer Commanding of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. The inspection, conducted at the Amphibious Brigade of the Bison Division, highlighted the Army’s readiness for modern warfare and its growing focus on indigenous defence solutions.
The 54th Infantry Division, established in 1966, demonstrated combat drills and readiness procedures tailored for amphibious operations. Known for its historic role in the 1971 Battle of Basantar, where it earned 196 gallantry medals including two Param Vir Chakras, the division reaffirmed its strategic importance in India’s coastal and maritime security setup.
A key aspect of the visit was the General Officer’s engagement with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), an initiative by the Kerala government that has nurtured over 3,000 startups since 2006. The interaction explored ways to incorporate civilian technological innovations—particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, drones, and hardware design—into the Indian Army’s operational framework under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign.
As part of the review, the Amphibious Brigade also demonstrated advanced drone capabilities, reflecting the Army’s shift toward integrating unmanned systems in surveillance and strike roles. Global military studies, including a RAND Corporation report, note that over 50 percent of modern militaries are deploying drones in active operations—an approach the Indian Army is increasingly adopting.
The visit signified the Indian Army’s evolving strategy to blend historical combat excellence with modern innovation and civil-military partnerships, ensuring that its forces remain agile, adaptive, and prepared for multi-domain threats in the future battlefield environment.
