The Indian Army’s Northern Command has intensified its high-altitude preparedness with the ‘AstraShakti’ combat exercise currently underway in Ladakh. Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, reviewed the exercise this week, which demonstrated India’s growing mastery in multi-domain warfare and integrated battle operations.
The large-scale training event, held amid the harsh terrain and freezing conditions of eastern Ladakh, included precision artillery strikes, drone swarm operations, counter-drone systems, and special commando manoeuvres. The exercise focused on improving real-time coordination between infantry, artillery, and air defence units while strengthening interoperability with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for joint operations in high-altitude zones.
According to Army sources, ‘AstraShakti’ is designed to simulate live battlefield scenarios, combining both conventional firepower and advanced technology. The demonstration featured long-range fire missions, electronic warfare support, and unmanned aerial systems for surveillance and target acquisition.
“The exercise highlights our readiness to operate in extreme conditions where technology and human resilience go hand in hand,” an Army official said. “It reflects the Northern Command’s commitment to innovation and deterrence across challenging terrains.”
A short video shared by the Northern Command showcased troops executing coordinated attacks, heavy artillery barrages, and drone-based reconnaissance in the Ladakh sector. The footage also depicted rapid response drills aimed at tackling cross-border threats and enhancing situational awareness through networked battlefield systems.
Experts believe that exercises like AstraShakti are crucial in strengthening India’s border posture, especially as high-altitude warfare increasingly relies on unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and precision-strike capabilities. By incorporating these technologies, the Indian Army is ensuring that its forces remain agile, modern, and fully equipped to counter emerging threats.
The exercise underscores India’s growing focus on self-reliant defence technologies and theatre-level readiness to secure the northern frontier – a region critical to national security and strategic stability.
-
-
-
-
