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Updated May 20, 2026 · 20:10
India News Updated May 20, 2026

Army Chief Dwivedi Inaugurates SITF, Launches 6 Digital Apps for Military Transformation

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the Directorate General of Information Systems to review digitalisation and technology initiatives. He inaugurated the Systems Integration and Test Facility and launched six new applications for enhancing operational effectiveness. The COAS also interacted with interns of the Indian Army Internship Programme, praising their creativity and dedication. In a separate address, he outlined strategic lessons from Operation Sindoor and emphasized India's role in a contested global order.

Army Chief Dwivedi inaugurates SITF, launches 6 new apps for digital transformation

New Delhi, May 20

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday visited the Directorate General of Information Systems to review digitalisation and technology initiatives being undertaken by the Indian Army.

In a post on X, the Indian Army said, "General Upendra Dwivedi, #COAS visited the Directorate General of Information Systems (DGIS) to review ongoing initiatives in the domains of digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence, systems integration and technology-enabled transformation within the #IndianArmy."

During the visit, the COAS inaugurated the Systems Integration and Test Facility (SITF), set up for the development, testing and validation of the Command Information and Decision Support System (CIDSS). He also launched six new-generation applications aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, logistics integration, structured data generation and digitised administrative processes across the force.

General Dwivedi interacted with interns of the Indian Army Internship Programme (IAIP) 2025-26 and appreciated their "professionalism, creativity and dedication towards innovation and indigenous capability development."

Commending the efforts of DGIS, the COAS emphasised the importance of technology-driven transformation, Army-Academia collaboration and indigenous innovation in strengthening future-ready military capabilities, the post added.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, General Dwivedi delivered a wide-ranging address at a seminar titled 'Security to Prosperity', organised by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), drawing direct lessons from Operation Sindoor and outlining a strategic vision for India's role in an increasingly contested global order.

Opening on the recent military operation, General Dwivedi described it as a landmark demonstration of coordinated national will. He said the operation "delivered military precision, information control, diplomatic signalling, and economic resolve as one coherent national act," adding that it struck deep, dismantled terror infrastructure and punctured a long-standing strategic assumption.

Notably, the Army Chief defended the deliberate cessation of hostilities after 88 hours, calling it a calculated strategic choice rather than a restraint born of limitation. "The deliberate halt after 88 hours was smart power in its most complete expression, knowing exactly which instrument to apply, at what intensity and precisely when to convert a military movement into a strategic one," he said.

Turning to the global strategic environment, General Dwivedi painted a sobering picture of a world veering away from liberal interdependence. He noted that the early 21st century was premised on the belief that trade, supply chains and digital connectivity would render nations too interdependent to go to war. That thesis, he argued, has been upended.

— ANI

Reader Comments

Sarah B

It's great to see the Indian Army embracing technology. The SITF and CIDSS sound like a serious upgrade for command and control. The 88-hour halt in Operation Sindoor is a very interesting strategy—shows restraint without being weak.

Vikram M

Digitalisation and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' going hand in hand. Army-Academia collaboration will help our forces stay ahead in this hyper-connected world. COAS's vision of 'smart power' is exactly what we need—not just brute force but strategic finesse. 💪

Rahul R

Good initiative but I hope these apps are user-friendly and field-tested. Many desi digital projects look good on paper but fail on ground. Let's see how well CIDSS performs in actual operations. Still, kudos to DGIS for the effort.

Amanda J

The global security analysis by General Dwivedi is spot on. The old assumptions about trade preventing war are gone. India needs to build resilient systems—both digital and military. The SITF will be crucial for testing these new capabilities.

Priya S

Operation Sindoor lessons are really valuable—military precision with diplomatic and economic coordination. The '88 hours halt' shows maturity in strategy. Our Army is not just combat-ready but also strategically aware. 👏

N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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