Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, reviewed Exercise Rudra Shakti at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan on Tuesday. The all-arms manoeuvre exercise, conducted by the Rudra Brigade, featured live firing and aimed to assess the Indian Army’s readiness to carry out high-intensity, integrated operations in complex and evolving battlefield scenarios, the Pune-headquartered Southern Command stated.

Exercise Rudra Shakti followed Exercise Akhand Prahar, which had earlier validated the Rudra Brigade and new operational concepts in the desert sector. The latest drill further strengthened combat integration and operational effectiveness through coordinated use of mechanised forces, artillery, air defence units, Army Aviation assets such as ALH-WSI and Apache helicopters, along with Unmanned Aerial Systems and Counter-UAS capabilities. The exercise showcased seamless coordination across land, air and digital domains.

During his visit, Lt Gen Seth interacted with troops and praised all ranks for their high training standards, professionalism and readiness. He commended their ability to execute complex missions with speed, accuracy and cohesion. Exercise Rudra Shakti reflects the Indian Army’s ongoing transformation, marked by organisational innovation, tactical evolution and technological integration. It underscores the Army’s commitment to remaining mission-ready, technologically advanced and prepared for emerging security challenges.

Lt Gen Seth reviewed the operational preparedness of Konark Corps during Exercise Akhand Prahar in the desert sector as part of the Tri-Services Exercise Trishul. Conducted in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, the exercise demonstrated the Corps’ full-spectrum combat readiness through integrated employment of mechanised and infantry manoeuvres, land operations by the Rudra Brigade, special heliborne missions and coordinated attack helicopter operations by Army Aviation.

The drills also highlighted strong synergy with the Indian Air Force, including fighter ground-attack missions in close support of land forces. The use of indigenous drones, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare grids enhanced battlefield awareness, precision and control, reflecting India’s growing technological capabilities and self-reliance.

Lt Gen Seth stated that the integrated all-arms Rudra Brigade has been formed and successfully operationally validated during Operation Akhand Prahar. He explained that the brigade is designed to conduct infantry, armoured, mechanised infantry and air defence artillery operations. Noting that “Rudra” signifies Mahadev or Shiv and also means “Prachand” (massive), he said the brigade demonstrated its capabilities through powerful and coordinated attacks during the exercise and is well-prepared for future multi-domain operations.

The exercise reaffirmed the Corps’ transformation into a modern, agile and networked force capable of high-tempo, multi-domain operations. The Army Commander commended all participating units for their professionalism, innovation and joint operational excellence, reflecting Southern Command’s focus on jointness, technological absorption and operational excellence.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.