Driving Military Modernisation, Western Command Previews Mechanisation Tech Seminar

Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Western Command, inaugurated the curtain raiser for the Mechanisation Technology Seminar 2.0 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Organised in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the event outlined plans to modernise existing military platforms and strengthen the combat capabilities of mechanised forces. The initiative aims to bring together the Army, defence manufacturers, startups and academic institutions to develop practical technological solutions for the evolving demands of modern warfare.

The upcoming seminar, titled MTS 2.0, will be held on December 14 and 15 at Chandimandir Military Station in Haryana. Its theme, “CHAKRA – Transforming Existing Platforms for Future Combat”, reflects the Army’s focus on upgrading equipment already in service rather than relying exclusively on the acquisition of entirely new platforms. The programme will explore ways to improve the effectiveness, adaptability and survivability of existing military systems through technological innovation and indigenous development.

Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant General Singh emphasised the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing battlefield shaped by emerging technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence and precision weapons. He stressed that the armed forces must find innovative ways to make existing combat platforms more capable, effective and resilient. The approach is intended to help the Army respond to new operational challenges while making better use of its existing resources.

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A key feature of MTS 2.0 will be its bottom-up approach to technological development, beginning with the practical challenges faced by soldiers on the ground. The Army has identified specific operational requirements and developed Problem Definition Statements to communicate those needs to industry representatives, startups and academic institutions. These statements will guide participants in proposing solutions that are practical, affordable and suitable for deployment in military settings.

The seminar will focus on combat capability enhancement, technology integration, adaptability, refurbishment and self-reliance in defence manufacturing. By encouraging collaboration between military personnel and technology developers, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between operational requirements and available industrial capabilities. It will also provide a platform for showcasing innovations and discussing emerging technologies that could strengthen mechanised forces in future combat environments.

MTS 2.0 builds on the first edition held in 2025, which attracted more than 200 defence industry representatives and featured demonstrations of 51 products and technological solutions. These included combat vehicle upgrades, sensor-based systems, digital command-and-control technologies, artificial intelligence applications, autonomous systems, advanced armour and next-generation communications. Through the second edition, Western Command aims to accelerate indigenous defence innovation, support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and improve the Indian Army’s operational readiness for future battlefield challenges.

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