Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command, visited the 512 Army Base Workshop (ABW), Pune, a flagship facility of the Indian Army dedicated to the rebuilding, restoration, and recapitalisation of Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs). The visit underscored the critical role played by this state-of-the-art facility in enhancing the operational readiness of the Army’s mechanized fleet.

During his visit, Lt Gen Seth reviewed the Centre of Excellence for Rubber Technology that has been established at the Base Workshop. This specialized centre focuses on advancing rubber technology to support the maintenance and longevity of critical equipment used by the Indian Army, particularly ICVs and other mechanized platforms.

The Army Commander also witnessed the demonstration of the Pilot Overhaul (OH) of the Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) VT-72B, an essential asset in battlefield recovery and support operations. He was further briefed on innovative projects and collaborations planned with the Indian defence industry, aimed at modernizing processes and incorporating cutting-edge technologies to improve operational efficiency.

Commending the dedication, professionalism, and technical expertise of all ranks and civil defence employees working at 512 ABW, Lt Gen Seth lauded their pivotal contribution to ensuring the quality overhaul of ICVs and maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence. He emphasized the importance of such facilities in sustaining the combat potential of the Indian Army by ensuring that critical platforms remain mission-ready.

The visit reaffirmed the Southern Command’s commitment to promoting self-reliance in defence technology while strengthening the nation’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by leveraging indigenous capabilities and innovation in military logistics and equipment maintenance.