Lieutenant General JS Sidana, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DGEME), conducted a key visit to the Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti Command in Jaipur today, underscoring the growing emphasis on technological transformation within India’s defence forces. Hosted by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander of the South Western Command, the visit focused on bolstering operational readiness through advanced technologies, with special attention on indigenous innovation and future-ready systems.
Lt Gen Sidana, a veteran with 38 years of service in the Indian Army, engaged in detailed briefings and hands-on reviews of the latest technological projects developed for field use. Among the highlights were demonstrations of robotic platforms and AI-integrated systems designed to enhance battlefield efficiency and reduce human risk. These innovations reflect a strategic shift in military preparedness, aligning with global defence trends towards greater reliance on automation, artificial intelligence, and cyber resilience.
During the interaction, Lt Gen Manjinder Singh brought his extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations and mountain warfare into discussions, ensuring operational realities guided the conversation on tech adoption. Together, the senior officers examined how emerging technologies can be rapidly deployed to support Indian troops in forward areas.
The visit comes at a time when India is prioritizing self-reliance in defence technology. With defence budget earmarked for research and development, and an accelerated push under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ campaigns, the Army is aggressively adopting homegrown solutions. This push also responds to regional threats, especially China’s recent strides in AI-assisted border surveillance and unmanned systems.
Lt Gen Sidana also met with technical staff, encouraging grassroots innovation and lauding the collaborative work being undertaken by EME personnel across commands. His visit to the Sapta Shakti Command reaffirmed the Army’s resolve to stay ahead of the curve in military technology and to ensure that India’s soldiers are supported by state-of-the-art systems tailored for Indian operational environments.
The visit marked another step in the Indian Army’s transformation journey, highlighting a future-forward approach that fuses traditional warfighting excellence with next-generation capabilities.
