By Defence Chronicle Correspondent, Nashik
In a concerted push to enhance inter-service synergy, Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance (AOM) at Air Headquarters, visited the prestigious School of Artillery here on May 8, 2026. The visit underscores the growing emphasis on jointness between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force in addressing modern battlefield challenges.
Air Marshal Ghuratia, a highly experienced Aeronautical Engineering officer with over 37 years of service, received comprehensive briefings on the School’s capabilities in operational logistics, equipment maintenance, and sustainment practices designed to ensure peak mission reliability of artillery assets. He witnessed live firing demonstrations of the Regiment of Artillery’s latest gun systems and was apprised of contemporary ammunition management techniques that significantly boost operational efficiency.
The interaction provided a valuable platform for senior leadership from both services to deliberate on emerging operational threats and evolve integrated strategies for delivering decisive firepower in contested environments. Officials noted that such exchanges are critical as the Indian armed forces modernise to counter hybrid threats and multi-domain warfare scenarios.
The School of Artillery, located in Deolali and recognised as a premier training institution of the Indian Army, continues to serve as a centre of excellence for gunnery, fire support coordination, and tactical innovation. Under the leadership of its Commandant, Lt Gen NS Sarna, the institute has strengthened its focus on technology-driven training and joint operational doctrines, producing artillery leaders equipped for network-centric operations.
Defence analysts view the AOM’s visit as part of a broader trend towards deeper Army-Air Force collaboration in maintenance, sustainment, and firepower integration, key enablers for the Indian military’s joint theatre commands initiative. This engagement is expected to yield tangible improvements in interoperability and rapid response capabilities across the services.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
