Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta Reviews Drone-Enabled Training at 39 Gorkha Training Centre, Varanasi
Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command, visited the 39 Gorkha Training Centre in Varanasi to assess training initiatives and station-related issues, with particular attention on how young soldiers are being prepared for the changing demands of modern warfare.
A key feature of the visit was a tactical demonstration that showed how drones are being integrated into battlefield training. The exercise reflected the Army’s increasing emphasis on unmanned systems and technology-enabled instruction as part of efforts to build combat-ready soldiers for a more complex operational environment.
Officials highlighted through the demonstration that the training centre is working to embed emerging technologies into its instructional framework. The use of drones in training is intended to help soldiers understand and operate effectively in a battlefield environment that is becoming increasingly shaped by technology.
During the visit, Lt Gen Sengupta also met young Agniveers of 3 and 9 Gorkha Rifles, as well as recruits training with Punjab and Grenadiers Territorial Army Battalions. His interaction with the trainees focused not only on military preparedness but also on the professional standards expected of soldiers at the start of their careers.
He stressed the importance of discipline, responsibility and professional excellence, and urged the young soldiers to uphold high standards of conduct. He also encouraged them to remain committed to continuous learning throughout their service.
Alongside conventional military values, the Army Commander drew attention to an area of growing relevance for serving personnel: responsible behaviour in cyberspace and on social media. He advised the trainees to stay aware of the security implications of their online activity and to exercise caution while using digital platforms.
Lt Gen Sengupta further told the trainees that future battlefields would demand more than traditional soldiering skills alone. He encouraged them to keep learning, adapt quickly and deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, saying soldiers of the future would need to combine core military competencies with technological awareness and flexibility.
The visit reflected Central Command’s broader focus on updating training methods to address emerging operational challenges. Integrating drones and other technology-enabled capabilities into training is aimed at improving battlefield awareness and strengthening overall combat effectiveness.
The interaction at the 39 Gorkha Training Centre also reinforced a wider message for the next generation of soldiers: operational readiness now depends not only on physical and tactical preparation, but also on professional values, adaptability to new technologies and responsible conduct both on and off the battlefield.
