Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited the Headquarters of Southern Command in Pune on Thursday, where he held comprehensive discussions with Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The deliberations centred on enhancing operational preparedness, advancing capability development, streamlining logistics priorities, and tackling emerging security challenges.
Lt Gen Seth briefed the Defence Secretary on ongoing initiatives under the Ministry of Defence’s Year of Reforms directives, aimed at transforming the armed forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready entity capable of executing multi-domain integrated operations. A dedicated display highlighted Southern Command’s adoption of disruptive technologies, including advanced drones and cyber warfare tools.
Commending these initiatives, Singh emphasised the importance of innovation and adaptability for safeguarding national security. He noted that India’s defence sector is a key driver of growth, with every ₹1 crore invested generating a multiplier effect of ₹2.45 crore on the GDP. He also revealed that the Ministry is revising procurement manuals to make procedures more dynamic, outcome-focused, and industry-friendly, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
As part of the visit, Singh was presented with a symbolic painting of Operation Sindoor, a joint military exercise launched earlier this year to promote inter-service coordination. The initiative reflects the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to strengthening unity and operational synergy, echoing global trends toward integrated command structures.
The visit also spotlighted Pune’s growing role as a defence and technology hub. Southern Command is hosting the inaugural STRIDE 2025 seminar, aimed at fostering collaboration between the military, academia, and industry to develop indigenous solutions for future battlefield needs.
