Lieutenant General AVS Rathee Evaluates Operational Preparedness of Indian Army's Battle Axe Division
Lieutenant General AVS Rathee, the General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s Konark Corps, carried out a detailed evaluation of the Battle Axe Division's operational readiness in the desert sector today. This assessment took place at the division's headquarters in Jodhpur, emphasizing the Army's consistent focus on maintaining a high level of combat preparedness along the strategically important Rajasthan-Gujarat border.
During the review, Lt Gen Rathee commended the division for its integration of modern technologies and innovative strategies aimed at enhancing frontline capabilities. The inspection highlighted the deployment of advanced drones, AI-driven surveillance systems, and state-of-the-art communication tools.
The advancements within the Battle Axe Division reflect a broader strategic shift within the Konark Corps, which was established in 1987 and takes inspiration from the historic Konark Sun Temple for its insignia and ethos. According to military psychology research, this cultural identity is crucial in boosting troop morale and unit cohesion, aspects that were noted during the field evaluation.
Lt Gen Rathee emphasized the need for adaptability, innovation, and tactical expertise in addressing new threats in the desert theatre, a region with a history of military engagements, notably the 1965 Indo-Pak War near the Rann of Kutch. His visit follows a recent logistics and readiness assessment by Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth of Southern Command in April 2025, highlighting the strategic focus on India’s western frontier.
The review concluded with live demonstrations of drone operations and secure battlefield communications, reaffirming the Battle Axe Division's essential role in protecting India's southern borders against evolving security threats.
