M S Nazki
Forever Ready For War, Strong And Capable
If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Opportunity does not waste time with those who are unprepared
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe: Abraham Lincoln!
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today
Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM**, Army Commander Western Command, reviewed the operational preparedness of Vajra Corps. He lauded inhouse drone fabrication at the Drone Lab, highlighting the troop’s ingenuity and spirit of innovation. He appreciated fielddriven solutions developed to meet evolving operational needs, reflecting a strong culture of innovation. Emphasizing the importance of joint training, operational synergy and the integration of modern technologies, he urged all ranks to remain missionready at all times. He commended the formation’s high standards of professionalism, readiness and dedication, encouraging continued excellence.
About the General:
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, AVSM, SM** is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the General Officer CommandinginChief, Western Command.
He previously served as the 48th Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to that he was Director General of Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement. He earlier served as General Officer Commanding IX Corps, and as Chief of Staff, Central Command.
He is also the Colonel of the Regiment of the Parachute Regiment since 1 November 2022.
The general officer is an alumnus of La Martinière College, Lucknow and the Lucknow University. He then attended the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
He also attended the Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Advance Professional Programme in Public Administration at Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.
He holds a master’s in management studies from Osmania University and a master’s in philosophy from Punjabi University.
Military career
He was commissioned into the 4th battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) on 19 December 1987 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
In a career spanning over 37 years, he has tenanted various Command and Staff appointments and served across various operational, field and highly active Counter Insurgency areas.
He participated in numerous military operations, including Operation Pawan, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Rakshak and Operation Orchid. He also served in the United Nations under UNIFIL and Sri Lanka.
He commanded a Special Forces Unit in the Kashmir Valley and on the Line of Control. As a brigadier, he served as the brigade commander of an Infantry Brigade and as a Major general, he commanded a Mountain Division during 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes.
Later on, he served as MG GS at headquarters Central Command. He has also served at the Infantry School, situated at Mhow and at the Strategic Forces Command.
After getting promoted to the rank of Lieutenant general, he assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff, Central Command. Later on, 14 April 2022, he took over as the General Officer Commanding IX Corps.
A year later in June 2023, he was appointed as the Director General Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement.
On 1 August 2025, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh took over as the 48th Vice Chief of the Army Staff succeeding Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani when the latter superannuated on 31 July 2025.
He relinquished the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff on 30 March 2026. On 1 April 2026, he took over as the General Officer CommandinginChief, Western Command succeeding Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar who superannuated on 31 March 2026.
Forever Ready For War
This encompasses both a military directive for constant preparedness and a broader, sometimes critical, concept of perpetual conflict.
Military Preparedness: Indian defense officials have emphasized that forces must be ready for wars of any duration, often citing the need for high surge capacity to maintain operations for extended periods.
The “Forever War” Concept: This phrase, or “perpetual war,” describes a lasting state of conflict with no clear end conditions, often used to describe modern engagements like the War on Terror.
“If You Want Peace, Prepare for War”: A commonly cited, yet debated, doctrine suggesting that demonstrating strength and readiness is the best way to prevent conflict and secure peace.
Individual Preparation: In response to rising global tensions, some governments, particularly in Europe, have suggested citizens create emergency kits and prepare for potential crises.
The concept implies a shift away from shortterm conflict planning toward a sustained, longterm state of alertness.
Strong and capable:
Strong and capable acts as a powerful affirmation for fostering selfworth, resilience, and inner strength, countering feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome. It embodies being determined, selfconfident, and able to navigate life’s challenges. Embracing this mindset builds neural pathways for confidence.
- Inner Strength & Belief: Recognizing your own power, resilience, and ability to overcome, often built “brickbybrick” through life’s trials.
- Actionable Affirmation: Using phrases like “I am strong, capable, and worthy” to build a positive inner dialogue and combat selfdoubt.
- Determination: The ability to handle life situations with courage and a positive attitude, even when faced with adversity.
SelfCare: Remembering that strong people still need, and deserve, comfort, reassurance, and support.
Resources for Empowerment
- Affirmation Focus: This Medium article discusses using “I am strong, capable” for positive selfdialogue.
Ultimately, it is a reminder that you are enough, you have overcome challenges, and you are equipped to handle future hurdles.
Vajra Corps:
Key Details of the Vajra Corps:
- Role & Location: Based at Jalandhar Cantonment, it is responsible for the security of the Punjab frontier and Western Front.
- Significance: Known for “Defenders of Punjab,” the corps maintains operational readiness for highaltitude to desert environments.
- Battle History: Played a critical role in 1965 and 1971, including the Battle of Dograi, Barki, and the “Graveyard of Patton Tanks” at Khem Karan.
- Honours: Holds 25 Battle Honours, 38 Theatre Honours, and four Honour Titles.
- Usage/Operations: It frequently engages in combined arms training, testing operational readiness, and securing the international boundary, including during exercises simulating combat conditions.
Unfortunately, there seems to be far more opportunity out there than ability…. We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation. He who is best prepared can best serve his moment of inspiration………!
The Drone Lab:
The Drone Lab established by the Indian Army’s Vajra Corps is a specialized, stateoftheart training facility and innovation hub. It enables soldiers to learn drone warfare techniques, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and target engagement (ISR), while also developing, repairing, and fabricating customized drones to meet specific combat needs.
Key Aspects of the Drone Lab (Vajra Corps):
- Purpose: To train soldiers to win the “drone war” by developing inhouse drone fabrication and fielddriven solutions for modern warfare.
- Location: Established within the Western Command theater, specifically utilized by units like the Panther Division.
Capabilities & Training:
- Inhouse Fabrication: The lab designs and produces drones.
- Operational Training: Includes mission planning, payload integration, and operation in contested environments involving signal/electronic interference.
- Specific Roles: Trains personnel in operating ‘Ashni’ surveillance drones, ‘Divyastra’ targeting batteries, and Shaurya squadrons for reconnaissance.
- Operational Synergy: The lab, sometimes referred to as a “skill lab” or “training node,” ensures high standards of professionalism and readiness, often collaborating with units for specialized training.
Why drones are vital:
Drones have become vital to the Indian military for enhancing border surveillance, conducting precision strikes, and reducing personnel risks in harsh terrains like the Himalayas. As crucial force multipliers, they provide real time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), enabling faster decision making and offering a cost effective alternative to man*ned aviation for patrolling vast, contested maritime and land borders.
Key reasons for their increased importance include:
- Operational Superiority & ISR: Drones improve situational awareness and shorten the sensortoshooter time lag, helping commanders make faster, datadriven decisions.
- Border Security and Surveillance: UAVs are used for 24/7 monitoring of vast, challenging border areas (e.g., in J&K and the Northeast), as detailed in this IDSA article.
- HighAltitude Operations: Drones provide critical aerial support in mountainous regions where traditional aviation is restricted by weather or terrain.
- Loitering Munitions and Strike Capabilities: The shift towards armed drones allows for quick, targeted strikes against enemy assets without risking pilots.
- CounterInsurgency & CounterDrone Warfare: Drones are essential in combating militancy, while indigenous counterdrone systems are being developed to counter hostile threats.
- Indigenization and SelfReliance: The “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative encourages local manufacturing of drones, software, and components, ensuring security and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
- Logistics in Hostile Areas: Drones are used for logistics, supplying essential equipment, and medical aid to remote, inaccessible locations.
The Indian military’s push toward unmanned systems, discussed in this Small Wars Journal article and analyzed by the Drone Federation of India, is a strategic response to modern, networkcentric warfare. With projected growth in the drone market, they are no longer niche assets, but intrinsic to operational readiness.
- So to the final lines: Mission ready at all times defines the ability of military forces and organizations to sustain immediate operational capability, ensuring they are prepared for combat, deterrence, or humanitarian missions instantly. It involves maintaining highlevel readiness through trained personnel, available assets, and rapid data analysis to act decisively.
Key elements of being mission ready include:
- Operational Availability: Ensuring platforms (ships, aircraft) and personnel are ready for deployment, supported by proactive maintenance and logistical support.
- Rapid Deployment/Action: The ability of forces to be mobilized quickly and act decisively in unpredictable scenarios, as demonstrated by the Indian Navy’s “Eyes in the Sky” posture.
- DataDriven Decision Making: Using advanced technologies (sensors, analytics) to turn data into actionable insights for realtime decisionmaking, as highlighted by Booz Allen.
- Training and Adaptability: Intensive training that turns tactics into instinct, allowing forces to adapt to shifting conditions, similar to the combat readiness training at Joint Base LangleyEustis.
Key Concepts in Mission Readiness:
- Prevent, Shape, Win: The Army framework to maintain credibility and, if necessary, fight and win.
- Sustainable Readiness: A process for maintaining longterm, highlevel readiness rather than preparing only for specific, shortterm events.
- Naval Civilian Support: The Indian Navy’s reliance on a dedicated civilian workforce to maintain equipment and ensure continuous operational preparedness.
- Cultural Awareness and Adaptability: The ability of personnel to operate in highrisk environments with adaptability and sound judgment.
Organizations, such as the Indian Navy and various military branches, prioritize this readiness to ensure they are prepared to face both conventional and unconventional threats.
