Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Central Command, recently visited the Army Air Defence College (AADC) in Gopalpur to assess its training, operational, and administrative frameworks. The visit received prominent coverage from the Surya Command on X and reflected the Indian Army’s ongoing commitment to modernization and capability enhancement, aligning with the “Year of Defence Reforms” proclaimed for 2025 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
During his time at the AADC, Lt Gen Sengupta was informed about the various infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for personnel and their families. The AADC is recognized as a premier training institution for the Army Air Defence Corps and has played a crucial role in equipping personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and allied foreign nations since it gained autonomy in 1994. Spanning an impressive 2,728 acres, the college is home to the Gopalpur seaward firing ranges, which include a 75-km facility equipped with advanced electro-optical tracking systems for testing and validating air defence systems.
Images shared by the Surya Command on X showcased Lt Gen Sengupta interacting with various air defence systems, reviewing a model depicting military operations, and being presented with a memento during a formal ceremony. He also observed a demonstration of sophisticated weaponry and engaged in a briefing session with senior officers. These interactions underscored a significant focus on integrating technology into tactical training, which forms a core part of the Indian Army’s transformation strategy.
In his address, Lt Gen Sengupta praised the AADC for maintaining exceptional professional standards and urged personnel at all levels to continue pursuing excellence in their endeavors. This visit resonates with the Surya Command’s broader mission to cultivate a “tech-infused, future-ready” force, as evidenced by a 2024 SSB Crack report that highlighted the command’s validation exercises emphasizing technology integration in contemporary warfare.
Established in the 1940s and renamed in 1998, the Army Air Defence College has fundamentally transformed into a vital element of India’s air defence training infrastructure. With the Central Command’s emphasis on joint operations, modernization, and efficient human resource management, Lt Gen Sengupta’s visit reinforces the Indian Army’s strategic intent of evolving into a 21st-century combat-ready force, consistent with the aspirational Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
