Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited the Headquarters of Southern Command in Pune on Thursday, engaging in comprehensive discussions with Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The discussions focused on several critical areas, including enhancing operational preparedness, advancing capability development, streamlining logistics priorities, and addressing emerging security challenges.
During the meeting, Lt Gen Seth provided an overview of ongoing initiatives under the Ministry of Defence’s directives for the Year of Reforms. These initiatives are designed to transform the Indian Armed Forces into a technologically advanced and combat-ready entity capable of executing multi-domain integrated operations. The impact of this transformation was highlighted through a dedicated display that showcased the Southern Command’s adoption of disruptive technologies, including advanced drones and cyber warfare tools.
Singh praised these initiatives and underscored the importance of innovation and adaptability in safeguarding national security. He emphasized that India’s defence sector serves as a significant driver of economic growth, noting that every ₹1 crore invested generates a multiplier effect of ₹2.45 crore on the GDP. To facilitate this growth, the Ministry is revising procurement manuals to make the procedures more dynamic, outcome-focused, and industry-friendly, aligning with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
As a symbolic gesture, Singh was presented with a painting representing Operation Sindoor, a joint military exercise launched earlier this year aimed at promoting inter-service coordination. This initiative reflects the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to enhancing unity and operational synergy, in line with global trends towards integrated command structures.
The visit also brought attention to Pune’s emerging status as a defence and technology hub. Southern Command is set to host the inaugural STRIDE 2025 seminar, which aims to encourage collaboration between the military, academia, and industry. The goal is to develop indigenous solutions tailored for future battlefield needs, further emphasizing the commitment to self-reliance in defence capabilities.
