Lieutenant General KS Brar, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, interacted with Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), during her visit to Chennai.

The interaction covered key issues related to:
Medical Support for Combatants – Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services for personnel deployed in operational zones.
Concerns of Veterans in ECHS – Addressing challenges faced by veterans under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and exploring measures to enhance healthcare accessibility.
Training of Recruits in Combat Medical Care – Reviewing and improving combat medical training to ensure that recruits are equipped with essential life-saving skills in battlefield scenarios.

During her visit, Surg Vice Adm Arti Sarin also inspected the Military Hospital and the Early Intervention Centre in Chennai. She reviewed the facilities, infrastructure, and medical services being provided, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards of care for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

The visit and discussions reflected a shared commitment to improving medical preparedness and addressing healthcare challenges in the armed forces. The emphasis on enhancing medical training, veteran care, and combat medical support underscores the resolve to provide world-class healthcare to those who serve the nation.

Students and teachers from Rashtriya Military School (RMS), Bangalore, visited the prestigious Bison Division as part of an orientation tour designed to inspire and motivate young cadets toward a career in the armed forces.

During the visit, the cadets were introduced to:
Army Martial Arts – Enhancing self-discipline, agility, and combat readiness.
Next-Generation Weapons – Providing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art weaponry.
Advanced Equipment – Showcasing cutting-edge technology that enhances operational efficiency and battlefield effectiveness.

The tour instilled a sense of pride, discipline, and enthusiasm among the young cadets, giving them a first-hand glimpse into the life of soldiers who serve the nation with unwavering dedication. The interaction with Army personnel and exposure to military practices ignited a spirit of patriotism and commitment, inspiring these future warriors to pursue a career in the armed forces.

The orientation tour was a valuable step toward nurturing leadership, courage, and resilience in the cadets, ensuring that they remain motivated to serve the nation with honor and distinction.

In a significant step toward fostering strong alliances and promoting shared security goals, 15 officers from the Sri Lanka Army successfully completed a Tailor-Made Mechanised Infantry Course at the Mechanised Infantry Centre & School, Ahilyanagar.

The intensive training program was designed to impart technical and tactical expertise on common equipment used by both the Indian and Sri Lankan armies. The course covered:

• Advanced Mechanised Infantry Operations
• Tactical Maneuvers in Challenging Terrains
• Best Practices for Effective Equipment Utilization

This initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation, interoperability, and the exchange of best practices between the two armies, ensuring operational readiness in joint missions and regional security challenges.

The successful completion of this course highlights the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to strengthening defence ties and advancing regional security.

By building capacity and deepening military collaboration, the initiative reinforces the strategic partnership between the two nations and underscores India’s role as a reliable partner in promoting stability in the region.

Such training programs contribute significantly toward enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and operational synergy, paving the way for continued cooperation and stronger defence alliances in the future.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, visited the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, to review the institution’s operational and administrative preparedness.

Assessment of Training and Research Infrastructure

During the visit, Lt Gen Seth assessed AFMC’s training facilities, academic infrastructure, and research capabilities. His review included:

• The Department of Medical Research
• The Advanced Surgical Skills Simulation Lab
• The Surgery Museum, which highlights historical and contemporary advancements in surgical practices

Inauguration of ‘Anusandhan’ – Hall of Fame for Research and Innovation

A key highlight of the visit was the inauguration of ‘Anusandhan,’ a hall of fame dedicated to showcasing the research, innovations, and scientific achievements of undergraduate students at national and international forums. The hall serves as a testament to the institution’s commitment to fostering scientific inquiry and encouraging academic excellence among medical cadets.

Interaction with Faculty and Medical Cadets

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth interacted with faculty members and medical cadets, acknowledging their contributions to academics, research, and clinical practice. He commended their dedication and efforts in maintaining high standards of medical education and professional excellence.

Recognition of Excellence

In recognition of outstanding achievements, Lt Gen Seth conferred two on-the-spot commendations, encouraging the recipients to continue their pursuit of excellence and innovation in the field of military medicine.

The visit reaffirmed AFMC’s pivotal role in advancing medical education, research, and clinical expertise, ensuring that the Indian Armed Forces remain equipped with world-class medical professionals.

New Delhi, 29 March 2025: The Indian Army and Indian Air Force have placed a substantial order for 2,978 units of the Force Gurkha, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between Force Motors and the Indian Defence Forces. This latest order underscores the robustness, reliability, and mission-readiness of vehicles manufactured by Force Motors, which have been extensively tested through rigorous field trials and evaluations.

Force Gurkha: Built for Extreme Environments

Force Motors has a rich legacy of supplying military-grade vehicles to the Indian Defence Forces, with the Gurkha Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) being a preferred choice due to its exceptional off-road capabilities, adaptability, and durability. Now, the Force Gurkha SUV has been added to this list, reinforcing Force Motors’ engineering prowess and ability to manufacture vehicles that can excel in the most challenging environments.

Key Features That Make Gurkha Ideal for Defence Operations

1. High Ground Clearance and Water-Wading Capability
   • Force Gurkha boasts a ground clearance of 233 mm, enabling seamless movement across rocky and uneven terrains.
   • Its water-wading ability of up to 700 mm makes it ideal for crossing rivers and streams—far surpassing any other vehicle in this segment.
   • Equipped with an air intake snorkel, the Gurkha maintains engine performance even while navigating through water bodies.
2. 4×4 Setup with Differential Locks
   • The Gurkha offers best-in-class 4×4 capability, with mechanically actuated differential locks on both axles, enhancing traction and control in off-road conditions.
   • It features an electronic shift-on-fly system, allowing smooth transition between 2H, 4H, and 4L modes, ensuring superior maneuverability across diverse terrains.
3. Impressive Approach, Departure, and Rampover Angles
   • Gurkha provides an approach angle of 39°, a departure angle of 37°, and a rampover angle of 28°, making it highly capable of tackling steep inclines and rough terrains.
   • It also offers a gradeability of 35°, ensuring stability and ease of handling on extreme slopes.
4. Powerful and Reliable Engine
   • Powered by a 2.6-litre, Mercedes-derived turbocharged intercooled diesel engine, the Gurkha delivers 140 PS and 320 Nm of torque, offering reliable performance in challenging environments.
   • The SUV features a 5-speed manual transmission that complements its rugged design and capability.
5. Compact Turning Radius for Maneuverability
   • The Gurkha’s turning radius of 5.50 meters makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, a crucial feature for operational environments.

Customized for Military Requirements

While the stock versions of the 3-door and 5-door Force Gurkha models, launched last year with a starting price of ₹16.75 lakh and ₹18 lakh, respectively, already offer high performance, the units delivered to the Indian Armed Forces will feature additional customizations to meet mission-specific operational requirements.

Force Motors’ Growing Presence in Defence Sector

Force Motors’ commitment to providing mission-ready solutions has been pivotal in building trust with the Indian Defence Forces. The Gurkha’s deployment will further enhance the operational readiness of the Indian Army and Air Force across a variety of terrains, including snow, mud, sand, water, gravel, and mountains.

This landmark order reaffirms Force Motors’ position as a trusted partner in India’s defense ecosystem, ensuring that the nation’s armed forces are equipped with state-of-the-art mobility solutions for their critical missions.

Ashok Leyland, the flagship entity of the Hinduja Group, announced that its defence business has secured multiple orders valued at over ₹700 crore to supply vehicles to the armed forces. These vehicles will fulfill the defence sector’s requirements for troop transportation, logistics, and specialized mobility solutions under the Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) program.

Strengthening Leadership in Land Mobility Solutions

With these new orders, Ashok Leyland has further reinforced its position as a leader in advanced land mobility solutions for India’s armed and paramilitary forces. According to a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the contracts cover a diverse range of specialized vehicles, including:

• Stallion 4×4
• Stallion 6×6
• Short Chassis Bus
• Mobility System Travelling Platform

These vehicles are designed to offer superior reliability and exceptional off-road capability, ensuring seamless maneuverability across India’s most challenging terrains while meeting various operational requirements.

Stock Performance: Dip Despite Order Win

Despite the positive order announcement, Ashok Leyland’s stock traded lower on Friday. As of the last update, the stock was down by 0.79%, trading at ₹207.

• The stock traded higher than its 10-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) but remained below its 5-day, 20-, 30-, 50-, 100-, 150-, and 200-day SMAs.
• Its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stood at 47.10, indicating neutral market sentiment.
• Around 1.63 lakh shares changed hands, which was lower than the two-week average volume of 3.55 lakh shares.
• The counter registered a turnover of ₹3.37 crore, with a market capitalization of ₹60,859.53 crore.

Company Fundamentals and Market Indicators

• P/E Ratio: 20.58
• P/B Value: 6.03
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): 10.07
• Return on Equity (RoE): 29.31%
• Beta (1-Year): 1.6, indicating high volatility

Clarification on SML Isuzu Stake Acquisition Rumors

In a separate development, Ashok Leyland denied media reports suggesting that it was acquiring the promoter’s stake (Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation) in SML Isuzu. The company clarified that the news was factually incorrect and assured that any material information would be disclosed as per regulatory requirements.

“As a responsible corporate entity, the company promptly discloses any material information under applicable regulations and will continue to do so in the future,” the company stated.

Promoter Holding and Shareholding Pattern

As of December 2024, promoters held a 51.52% stake in Ashok Leyland, reflecting strong promoter confidence in the company’s growth and performance.

Ashok Leyland’s continued focus on enhancing defense capabilities and maintaining transparency in corporate actions positions the company as a key player in India’s defense and automotive sectors.

Pune, March 2025: Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, conducted the Annual Administrative Inspection of the College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune, where he assessed the institution’s progress in adopting advanced technologies and enhancing infrastructure to meet evolving operational requirements.

Review of Advanced Training and Infrastructure

During his visit, Lt Gen Seth reviewed advanced training initiatives and key infrastructure upgrades at CME. He received detailed briefings on the latest advancements in Geo-Information Sciences, survey software, and drone training, emphasizing the institution’s role in equipping future military engineers with cutting-edge skills.

3D-Printed Sand Model: A Notable Innovation

A significant highlight of the visit was the demonstration of a 3D-printing model developed by Lieutenant SP Singh of CME. This innovative model uses locally available materials to create Sand Models of various geographical terrains, offering a cost-effective and efficient tool for operational planning and training purposes.

Appreciation and Recognition

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth lauded CME’s tech-driven approach to enhancing intelligence and operational training. He commended the institution’s efforts in fostering innovation and incorporating modern technologies into military education. During the visit, the Army Commander also felicitated individuals who made notable contributions to military engineering and technology, acknowledging their dedication and expertise.

CME’s Role in Shaping Future Military Leaders

The visit underscored CME’s pivotal role in advancing military engineering through innovation and excellence, ensuring that the Indian Army remains prepared for future operational challenges. Lt Gen Seth’s inspection reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to developing state-of-the-art solutions and nurturing technological prowess among its cadets and faculty.