Lt Gen Harbinder Singh Vandra, Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals and Chief of Staff (COS) of the Sapta Shakti Command, recently visited the Spearhead Signallers to assess their operational readiness as part of the Indian Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation.” During the visit, he reviewed a state-of-the-art network-enabled Communication Complex, commending the Signallers for their exceptional courage, commitment, and excellence in challenging operational environments.
The Sapta Shakti Command, headquartered in Jaipur, is one of the seven operational commands of the Indian Army, overseeing the strategic Western Command region. Established to enhance the Army’s combat effectiveness, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s western borders, spanning diverse terrains from the deserts of Rajasthan to the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The command is renowned for its rapid response capabilities and integration of advanced technology, ensuring seamless coordination across its vast operational area.
Lt Gen Vandra’s visit underscored the Indian Army’s commitment to modernization, with the Corps of Signals evolving from its inception in 1911 when it relied on rudimentary semaphores and telegraph systems to mastering satellite communications, cyber operations, and electronic warfare. This transformation is supported by rigorous training at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
The Corps’ motto, “Teevra Chaukas” (Swift and Secure), reflects its dedication to providing reliable and rapid communication services, a capability that proved critical during past conflicts like the 1999 Kargil War, where technological upgrades mitigated initial signal failures.
The visit also highlighted the Army’s significant investment in technology, with procurement through the Government-e-Marketplace rising from Rs 21 crore in 2017 to Rs 15,433 crore in FY 2023-24. This financial boost has enabled the adoption of cutting-edge systems, enhancing the Signallers’ preparedness for future challenges. Lt Gen Vandra praised the troops for their professional excellence and reaffirmed the Army’s focus on technology-driven training and strategic planning to maintain vigilance and readiness.
The event, marked by interactions with personnel and inspections of operational innovations, reinforces the Sapta Shakti Command’s role as a cornerstone of India’s defence strategy, blending tradition with technological prowess to meet contemporary security demands.
