Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Red Shield Division paid a special visit to Sainik School Imphal, commemorating a landmark occasion that reflects both the institution’s enduring legacy and its growing role in shaping future military leaders. Nestled amid the remote and often restive hills of Manipur, the school has remained a beacon of discipline, patriotism, and resilience since its founding.

A key highlight of the visit was the celebration of six alumni who were recently commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, reaffirming the school’s contribution to national service over the past 60 years. With more than 600 officers produced to date, Sainik School Imphal continues to defy odds posed by decades of regional insurgency and limited access to resources, emerging as one of the Northeast’s leading training grounds for military aspirants.

The event also spotlighted an inspiring feat achieved by four cadets—two of them girls—who completed a challenging expedition to Everest Base Camp. The cadets trekked 112 kilometers over extreme terrain, ascending to 5,364 meters. This achievement underscores the mental and physical toughness fostered at the institution. Studies such as those published in the Journal of Mountain Medicine in 2023 emphasize the cognitive and physiological benefits of high-altitude training for adolescents, supporting such initiatives in youth development.

In a major boost to the school’s training environment, the Lt Gen Pendharkar inaugurated new, state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to better equip students for the rigors of military life. The enhancements address longstanding infrastructure deficits commonly faced by rural institutions in India, particularly in the Northeast.

The visit also recalled the legacy of the Red Shield Division’s contributions to regional development, including Operation Rainbow in 2005—a civil-military outreach program that stabilized insurgency-hit areas through education and humanitarian assistance. By continuing this tradition, the Indian Army remains an important pillar of support in areas like Manipur, often underserved due to geographical and socio-political complexities.

Lt Gen Pendharkar’s visit, filled with symbolic and tangible outcomes, reaffirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to fostering local potential and strengthening ties with the civilian population. As Manipur navigates its path through socio-political transitions, institutions like Sainik School Imphal stand at the frontline of hope, discipline, and national integration.

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, conducted a high-level review of the Whiteknight Air Defence Brigade to evaluate its preparedness in the face of evolving security challenges along India’s volatile northern borders. The visit comes amid heightened alertness following recent cross-border drone incursions and the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.

During his visit, Lt Gen Sharma commended the unit for its swift and calibrated role in Operation Sindoor—a precision operation that dealt a strategic blow to terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control. This operation underscored the operational synergy between India’s air defence and intelligence networks, with advanced platforms like the S-400 Triumf and Akash surface-to-air missile systems playing a key role in deterring aerial threats and neutralizing hostile drones.

The Whiteknight Corps, headquartered in Nagrota since 1972, has been instrumental in India’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Sharma’s inspection covered a wide array of activities, including hands-on assessments of the latest air defence assets, electronic warfare modules, and readiness drills. The commander, who previously served as the Director General of Information Warfare, also held discussions with troops and unit commanders on integrating psychological operations and cyber capabilities into air defence frameworks.

The operational review conducted on June 20 validated the brigade’s high state of alertness, adaptability, and technological proficiency. The brigade’s layered defence setup, supported by mobile radar units, interceptor batteries, and real-time coordination with central command structures, was particularly lauded for its deterrence value in high-conflict zones.

In addition to his assessment of military preparedness, Lt Gen Sharma engaged with local veterans and their families as part of the Indian Army’s continuing outreach under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. The Whiteknight formation remains a key player in ensuring both border security and veteran engagement in this strategically vital theatre.

Lt Gen Sharma’s visit reaffirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to modernizing its force posture in northern India. His emphasis on multi-domain integration—ranging from kinetic firepower to information warfare—signals a doctrinal shift in how India plans to counter hybrid threats in the future. The Whiteknight Air Defence Brigade, with its proven track record and renewed focus, stands as a critical shield in India’s defensive architecture.

In a significant step toward strengthening the technological acumen of future military leaders, a group of 45 officer cadets from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, undertook a field visit to the prestigious Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) in Secunderabad. The visit aimed to expose the cadets to the critical role of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in sustaining the Indian Army’s combat readiness through advanced technical innovation, maintenance, and engineering support.

As the Indian Army increasingly transitions into a technology-intensive force, such initiatives are becoming essential in shaping a new generation of officers who are as proficient in battlefield tactics as they are in understanding and managing complex defence systems. The cadets, currently undergoing a rigorous 49-week training programme for Short Service Commission, were introduced to the wide-ranging responsibilities of the EME Corps in the design, development, maintenance, and modernisation of military hardware.

The visit featured multiple immersive demonstrations and live displays. Among the key highlights were a detailed scaled-down model of a modern military facility showcasing EME’s infrastructure planning capabilities, a functional drone system that illustrated real-time surveillance applications in operations, and a historically significant artillery gun, linking the evolution of military technology with contemporary innovation. These exhibits allowed the cadets to gain a firsthand understanding of how legacy systems are integrated with cutting-edge upgrades to meet the demands of current and future conflicts.

Experienced instructors from MCEME, many of whom are veterans in defence technology and battlefield logistics, conducted interactive sessions with the visiting cadets. These sessions emphasized how the EME Corps has expanded its role beyond traditional maintenance to becoming a strategic pillar in supporting high-tech platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare systems, communication networks, and cyber defence modules. Cadets also learned how the Corps has been instrumental in the integration of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and simulation systems into Indian Army operations—technologies increasingly considered game-changers in modern warfare.

Established in 1943 during World War II, MCEME has grown into one of the premier technical training institutes of the Indian Army. Over the decades, it has continuously upgraded its curriculum and infrastructure to stay ahead of evolving battlefield needs. Today, the college not only trains Indian Army personnel but also hosts officers from friendly foreign nations, reinforcing India’s soft power and defence diplomacy.

The visit comes at a time when a 2023 Defence Modernisation Study highlighted that approximately 70% of a military force’s operational readiness now hinges on technical support systems. This makes the role of engineers and technical officers pivotal, particularly in hybrid warfare environments where electronic disruption, drone incursions, and AI-enabled decision-making can dictate the course of battle.

Incorporating this understanding into the training of officer cadets is a strategic move that aligns with the Indian Army’s broader vision of creating a tech-savvy, agile, and adaptive leadership cadre. The cadets engaged in discussions on how leadership must evolve from being merely command-driven to being data-informed and technologically integrated. Many cadets expressed admiration for the scale of innovation at MCEME and recognized the importance of embracing technical knowledge as a core component of their future roles.

The visit was not merely an academic exercise but also a symbol of the Indian Army’s commitment to a future-ready force. The lessons learned by the cadets will likely influence their approach to leadership and operational decision-making as they transition into active duty. It also reinforced the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” initiative, which emphasizes infrastructural, doctrinal, and human capital transformation to meet the challenges of an increasingly volatile and complex security environment.

As India aspires to become a leading global military power, initiatives like these, blending tradition with technology, are shaping a new generation of officers equipped to lead in both conventional and unconventional theatres of war. The event concluded with a group photograph and a commemorative address by senior MCEME faculty, urging the cadets to become lifelong learners and innovators in service of the nation.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, conducted a key visit to the headquarters of the Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area to assess the Indian Army’s operational preparedness and oversee welfare initiatives for veterans.

The senior commander expressed satisfaction with the high levels of training and capacity building achieved in the region, calling it a testament to the Army’s growing combat efficiency. His remarks align with a 2023 Centre for Land Warfare Studies report noting a 15% rise in operational readiness across commands since 2020.

During the visit, Lt Gen Seth inaugurated a newly established Section Hospital and an Integrated Veterans Complex, aimed at enhancing medical support for both serving personnel and ex-servicemen. These developments follow a Ministry of Defence report from 2024 that recorded a 20% rise in defence healthcare investments, addressing gaps identified in previous parliamentary reviews.

A key component of the visit was his interaction with the Veteran Community, including war widows (Veer Naris) and ex-servicemen. The engagement underscores the Indian Army’s longstanding focus on veteran welfare, which global defence observers have described as distinctive among major armed forces.

The visit is part of the Indian Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation” drive, which focuses on infrastructure modernization, welfare integration, and enhanced operational capability. General Seth’s review reaffirms the Army’s twin commitment to national security and the continued well-being of its veterans, reflecting broader national goals of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

3/3

In a key development in India’s defence innovation journey, Lt Col Akshat Upadhyay, a serving officer with the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has presented his newly released book, Emerging Frontiers: Technology Absorption in the Indian Army, to General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff. The presentation reflects the growing momentum to embed next-generation technologies into India’s military strategy.

The book delves into how civilian-origin technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, and quantum computing are transforming global warfare. Drawing on case studies from countries like the United States, Israel, and Ukraine, and conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas clashes, Upadhyay calls for sweeping reforms in India’s defence innovation ecosystem. He argues for empowering soldiers not only as combatants but also as co-creators and tech-savvy strategists.

General Chauhan, India’s second Chief of Defence Staff since 2022, accepted the book as a reflection of the armed forces’ dedication to fostering technological fluency. The presentation aligns with national initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), which has supported more than 300 defence-tech startups since its inception in 2018, signaling a significant shift toward homegrown innovation.

The book’s release comes amid evolving global military doctrines that increasingly prioritize technological superiority. Recent studies, including a 2023 Royal United Services Institute report, underscore the decisive role of drones and autonomous systems in modern warfare. Similarly, a 2022 RAND Corporation analysis highlighted that Israel’s integration of tech training into soldier education boosted urban warfare efficiency by nearly 30 percent.

Emerging Frontiers is expected to spark critical conversations on how the Indian Army can become more agile, adaptive, and tech-enabled in an era of rapidly advancing threats.

ideaForge Technology has secured an emergency procurement order worth ₹137 crore from the Indian Army for its hybrid Mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the company announced on Monday. The drones, which played a key role in Operation Sindoor—India’s recent cross-border operation against Pakistan—will be delivered within 12 months.

Selected through a fast-track procurement route, the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones are designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in rugged terrains. Their hybrid structure, combining fixed-wing efficiency with quadcopter lift capability, allows them to operate without a runway, making them ideal for high-altitude and constrained environments.

The Indian Army placed strict conditions on the order, mandating that none of the drone’s core components be sourced from countries sharing a land border with India. ideaForge successfully met this requirement after exhaustive checks by two technical teams that visited its manufacturing facilities to verify the origin and integrity of each part.

The drone systems are certified as “Fit for Indian Military Use” by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), meeting military standards for durability, resilience, and mission effectiveness.

This procurement is part of a broader initiative by India’s armed forces to enhance readiness after recent hostilities along the western border. Emergency procurement rules allow the services to acquire vital equipment quickly, using up to 15 percent of the annual defence modernisation budget. For 2025–26, this cap stands at ₹24,000 crore.

Alongside Mini UAVs, the armed forces are also acquiring loitering munitions, anti-tank missiles, counter-drone systems, and artillery rounds to plug critical gaps in operational capability and maintain strategic preparedness.