In a significant boost to technological innovation within the armed forces, Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Spear Corps, visited the Drone Excellence Centre at the Likabali Military Station in Arunachal Pradesh. The visit underscored the Indian Army’s increasing emphasis on leveraging indigenous drone technology to address operational challenges in challenging terrain.
During his visit, Lt Gen Pendharkar was briefed by technical personnel and drone specialists about the latest developments in drone design and fabrication. The Drone Excellence Centre, which acts as an incubation hub, showcased a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) developed to meet real-time field requirements in difficult mountainous and jungle environments.
Among the standout innovations was a multi-purpose, 3D-printed tactical glider, designed and developed indigenously to support surveillance, resupply missions, and reconnaissance in high-altitude and forward areas. The centre also demonstrated cargo drones capable of transporting logistics to remote posts, and aerial surveillance systems integrated with real-time data transfer capabilities — a game-changer in modern warfare and border management.
The GOC praised the technical acumen, creativity, and mission-driven focus of the officers and technicians at the centre. “What I have witnessed today is a shining example of how field innovation, guided by operational experience, can deliver transformative solutions. This centre reflects the Army’s push toward self-reliance and future-ready combat preparedness,” Lt Gen Pendharkar stated.
He also emphasized the importance of such initiatives under the broader vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and urged further collaboration with academic institutions and private tech startups to advance the Centre’s capabilities.
Established as a centre of excellence under the Eastern Command, the Drone Excellence Centre at Likabali has quickly become a model for other formations, offering scalable solutions for tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and logistics delivery.
The visit concluded with the GOC encouraging the team to expand the centre’s outreach and continue innovating for India’s evolving security landscape, especially along the sensitive borders of the Northeast.
With initiatives like these, the Indian Army continues to lead from the front in fusing technology with tradition — preparing today for the conflicts of tomorrow.