Lt Gen Vandra Evaluates Technological Advancements with Spearhead Signallers
Lt Gen Harbinder Singh Vandra, Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals and Chief of Staff of the Sapta Shakti Command, recently conducted a visit to the Spearhead Signallers to evaluate their operational preparedness as part of the Indian Army's ongoing "Decade of Transformation." During the visit, he inspected a modern network-enabled Communication Complex, applauding the Signallers for their bravery, dedication, and excellence in challenging operational settings.
The Sapta Shakti Command, with its headquarters in Jaipur, is one of the Indian Army's seven operational commands, responsible for overseeing the strategic Western Command region. Established to boost the Army's combat effectiveness, this command plays a crucial role in protecting India's western borders, encompassing diverse terrains from Rajasthan's deserts to the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Known for its rapid response capabilities and advanced technology integration, the command ensures seamless coordination across its expansive operational area.
Lt Gen Vandra’s visit highlighted the Indian Army's dedication to modernization, with the Corps of Signals evolving significantly since its inception in 1911, when it relied on basic semaphores and telegraph systems, to now excelling in satellite communications, cyber operations, and electronic warfare. This transformation is underpinned by rigorous training at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
The Corps' motto, "Teevra Chaukas" (Swift and Secure), emphasizes its commitment to delivering reliable and rapid communication services, a capability that proved vital during past conflicts like the 1999 Kargil War, where technological advancements helped address initial signal failures.
The visit also underscored the Army's substantial investment in technology, with procurement through the Government-e-Marketplace increasing from Rs 21 crore in 2017 to Rs 15,433 crore in FY 2023-24. This financial growth has facilitated the acquisition of state-of-the-art systems, improving the Signallers' readiness for future challenges. Lt Gen Vandra commended the troops for their professional excellence and reaffirmed the Army's emphasis on technology-driven training and strategic planning to ensure vigilance and readiness.
The event, featuring interactions with personnel and inspections of operational innovations, reinforces the Sapta Shakti Command's integral role in India's defence strategy, combining tradition with technological expertise to address contemporary security needs.
