Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the Guards Regimental Centre in Kamptee to evaluate its ongoing training initiatives. During the visit, he was briefed by the Commandant on key programs, including the integration of state-of-the-art simulator-based training facilities that leverage virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for small team tactical training.

The Guards Regimental Centre, a cornerstone of the Brigade of the Guards, has a distinguished history, earning 10 post-independence Battle Honours and notable gallantry awards, including two Param Vir Chakras. The centre, established in 1950 and relocated to Kamptee in 1976, is known for its rigorous training of soldiers from across India, reflecting its unique “all India, all class” ethos as the first such infantry unit in the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Seth, who assumed command of the Southern Command on July 1, 2024, also reviewed the centre’s efforts to align with the Indian Army’s broader goal of transforming into a modern, agile, and adaptive force. The adoption of VR and AR technologies mirrors a growing trend in the Indo-Pacific region, where militaries like India, South Korea, and Singapore have reported a 30-40% reduction in training costs through simulation-based methods, according to a 2020 Indo-Pacific Defense Forum report.

During the visit, Lt Gen Seth felicitated outstanding achievers with on-the-spot Commendation Cards, recognizing their excellence and encouraging all ranks to maintain the centre’s high standards of training. The event underscored the Indian Army’s commitment to modernization, indigenization, and technological advancement, as highlighted by recent statements from Army leadership on the pivotal role of technology in military transformation. The Southern Command continues to lead efforts in preparing a future-ready force capable of addressing evolving security challenges.