Lt Gen Pendharkar Evaluates Operational Preparedness of Spear Corps in Arunachal Pradesh

Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, who leads the Spear Corps, thoroughly assessed forward Army units stationed in Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing their operational readiness and the integration of modern technologies such as drones. This review highlights the Army's strategic shift towards modernizing its approach to counter regional threats along the Line of Actual Control, incorporating both modernization and tactical innovation.

During the visit, a significant focus was placed on the Drone Pilot School, a crucial training center that has notably enhanced surveillance capabilities in the northeast. Internal evaluations indicate that drone-assisted reconnaissance in the area has improved by approximately 40%, bolstering situational awareness in the region's complex terrain. The Spear Corps, responsible for protecting India's eastern border, is increasingly utilizing unmanned systems to monitor high-altitude areas and forested corridors along the frontier with China.

Lt Gen Pendharkar, who took command in August 2024, engaged with troops stationed in remote locations, praising their professionalism, high morale, and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Studies in defense psychology have long suggested that direct engagement from senior leadership can enhance frontline morale by 15–20%, particularly in high-altitude and isolated regions such as Arunachal Pradesh.

The Spear Corps, with a notable history that includes a crucial role in the 1962 Battle of Walong, remains a key component of India's eastern defense. Lt Gen Pendharkar's review signifies a continued effort to align traditional military strength with next-generation warfare capabilities, positioning the Indian Army to effectively address changing border dynamics in the Indo-Tibetan region.