President Droupadi Murmu Visits Army Training Command in Shimla

With a network of 32 premier training establishments, ARTRAC plays a central role in shaping the professional excellence and combat effectiveness of the Indian Army.

Reinforcing the critical importance of modern, technology-enabled military training in an evolving security landscape, the President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, visited the Headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla on Thursday.

The President was received by Hon'ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shri Kavinder Gupta and Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), ARTRAC, marking a high-level engagement focused on strengthening India's defence preparedness through advanced training and innovation.

ARTRAC: The Nerve Centre of Military Training and Doctrine

During the visit, the President was briefed extensively on the evolution and strategic role of ARTRAC, which serves as the Indian Army's premier institution for:

• Designing training doctrines and warfare concepts

• Developing human resources and operational capabilities

• Enhancing combat readiness across formations

With a network of 32 premier training establishments, ARTRAC plays a central role in shaping the professional excellence and combat effectiveness of the Indian Army.

Officials highlighted that the command not only trains personnel but also provides a unique perspective into the art and science of modern warfare, making it a cornerstone of India's defence architecture.

Focus on Emerging Technologies and Modern Warfare

A key highlight of the briefing was ARTRAC's emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technologies into military training frameworks. Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma outlined several forward-looking initiatives, including:

• Expansion of drone training programmes

• Adoption of niche and emerging technologies

• Introduction of 'Red Teaming' concepts to simulate adversarial strategies

• Accelerated digitisation and automation across training systems

These initiatives reflect the Army's shift toward technology-driven warfare preparedness, aligning with global military trends and future battlefield requirements.

Driving Atmanirbharta and Global Military Engagement

The President acknowledged ARTRAC's multifaceted role in advancing:

• Indigenous capability development (Atmanirbharta)

• Strategic engagement with Friendly Foreign Countries

• Coordination with Sister Services for joint operational readiness

She noted that ARTRAC is a "critical gear" in India's journey toward military excellence, self-reliance, and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.

Strengthening National Security Through Training Excellence

During her interaction with senior leadership, the President discussed the evolving nature of military training and the need to continuously upgrade systems and methodologies to address emerging security challenges.

She emphasized that robust and adaptive training frameworks are essential to:

• Ensure national security

• Build a future-ready armed force

• Maintain operational superiority in complex threat environments

Call for Continued Excellence and Innovation

In her address, President Murmu commended the officers, personnel, and defence civilians associated with ARTRAC for their "stellar work" in strengthening the Army's training ecosystem.

She urged them to:

• Continue working with greater dedication and innovation

• Maintain focus on operational preparedness

• Strengthen India's defence capabilities through continuous learning and adaptation

"The role of ARTRAC is vital in shaping a secure and strong nation," she noted, encouraging all ranks to sustain their efforts with renewed zeal and commitment.

A Strategic Pillar in India's Defence Ecosystem

As India navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, institutions like ARTRAC are emerging as key enablers of:

• Doctrinal innovation

• Technology integration in defence

• Capacity building of armed forces

The President's visit underscores the Government's continued focus on modernizing military training infrastructure and ensuring that India's armed forces remain agile, adaptive, and combat-ready.