Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Central Command, recently conducted a thorough inspection at the operational headquarters of the Golden Key Gunners and the 116th Infantry Brigade in Dehradun. This visit forms a crucial part of the Indian Army’s ongoing initiatives under the ‘Year of Defence Reforms,’ aimed at modernizing military capabilities and enhancing overall combat readiness.
During his inspection, Lt Gen Sengupta evaluated the state-of-the-art facilities at the Drone Training Lab, a significant asset in the Army’s efforts toward technological innovation. The Army Commander received detailed briefings on the formation’s advancements in integrating modern tools like drones, artificial intelligence, and robotics into their operational framework. He stressed the increasing importance of technology in contemporary warfare, encouraging personnel at all levels to embrace ongoing training and skill development to meet the shifting demands of battlefield conditions.
The 116th Infantry Brigade, which boasts a rich heritage dating back to World War II, continues to excel in operational responsiveness and the adoption of modern military practices. Similarly, the Golden Key Gunners play a vital role in the Central Command’s broader strategy for modernization, emphasizing self-reliance and indigenization within defense operations.
This visit is a testament to the Indian Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ (2023–32) strategy, building on the achievements made during the previous year centered on technology absorption. The strategic vision involves fostering deeper partnerships with Indian educational institutions, defense startups, and industries to bolster domestic capabilities in areas such as surveillance, logistics, and combat precision.
In his remarks, Lt Gen Sengupta praised the professionalism and commitment of the troops, urging them to uphold the highest levels of readiness. He highlighted the lessons learned from recent global conflicts, pointing to the necessity of adapting defense strategies to address hybrid warfare, rapid technological evolution, and emerging non-conventional threats.
The visit also signifies Lt Gen Sengupta’s continued interaction with frontline units, following his earlier inspection of the Ibex Brigade in October 2024. His current assessment in Dehradun reinforces Central Command’s commitment to ensuring that military formations across diverse terrains, from the high-altitude areas of the Himalayas to the intricate landscapes of the Northeast, are fully equipped and technologically advanced to face upcoming security challenges.
