Army Vice Chief reviews niche tech, innovation at Mhow's MCTE and ACE
Synopsis
The Indian Army's Vice Chief personally reviewed technology and innovation initiatives at two key institutions in Mhow — the same week the 18th edition of the India-Mongolia joint exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 concluded in Uttarakhand, spotlighting the Army's parallel push on domestic capability-building and international interoperability.
Key Takeaways
Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain , Vice Chief of the Army Staff, visited MCTE and ACE at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh on 3 October 2026 .
The review focused on harnessing niche technologies and fostering innovation to meet future operational requirements.
The 18th edition of India–Mongolia Joint Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 concluded simultaneously in Uttarakhand , covering drones, counter-drone systems, and cyber security training.
In July 2026 , the multinational Khaan Quest 2026 exercise concluded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia , with India reaffirming its peacekeeping commitment.
The visits and exercises reflect the Indian Army's growing emphasis on technology-integrated tactics and bilateral military interoperability .
Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, on 3 October 2026 visited the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and the Army Centre for Electromagnetics (ACE) at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to review efforts in harnessing niche technologies and fostering innovation for future operational requirements. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the visit in an official statement.
What the Visit Covered
During his tour of the Mhow facilities, Lieutenant General Jain assessed ongoing initiatives aimed at integrating emerging and specialised technologies into the Army's operational framework. The MCTE and ACE are key institutions responsible for advancing the Indian Army's telecommunications and electromagnetic capabilities, making the review a signal of the force's continued focus on technology-driven warfighting.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), shared details on social media platform X, confirming that the Vice Chief reviewed 'initiatives towards harnessing niche technologies and efforts towards fostering innovation to meet future operational requirements.'
Nomadic Elephant 2026 Wraps Up in Uttarakhand
The visit coincided with the conclusion of the 18th edition of the India–Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 in Uttarakhand. According to an official statement, the exercise was designed to enhance joint military capability for Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, while also enabling the exchange of best practices and improving interoperability between the two armies.
Training drills conducted during Nomadic Elephant 2026 included Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, and the deployment of drones and counter-drone systems — reflecting the Indian Army's growing emphasis on technology-integrated tactics.
Context: Khaan Quest 2026 and Mongolia Ties
The bilateral military engagement with Mongolia has been gathering momentum. In July 2026, the multinational peacekeeping exercise 'Khaan Quest 2026' concluded at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar, with India reaffirming its commitment to global peace. The closing ceremony was attended by Major General Baasandamba Dashtseden, Deputy Minister of Defence, and Lieutenant General Ganbyamba Sunrev, Chief of General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, both of whom commended the professionalism and camaraderie of all participating contingents, according to the Indian Army's official account.
Broader Significance for Army Modernisation
The Vice Chief's direct review of MCTE and ACE underscores the Indian Army's accelerating push towards technology adoption — particularly in areas such as electromagnetics, cyber capabilities, and counter-drone warfare. This comes amid India's broader defence modernisation agenda, which has prioritised indigenous innovation and reduced dependence on foreign platforms. The Army's increasing engagement in multilateral and bilateral exercises further signals an intent to benchmark capabilities against global standards.
How swiftly the insights from institutional reviews like this translate into field-deployable capabilities will be a key indicator of the Army's modernisation trajectory in the coming years.
Point of View
With its drone and counter-drone components, points to a deliberate alignment between capability-building at home and battlefield-relevant joint training abroad. What remains to be seen is whether institutional reviews translate into faster procurement and deployment cycles, or remain confined to the workshop stage. India's military modernisation has historically moved in fits and starts; sustained leadership attention may be the variable that changes the equation.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Army Vice Chief visit Mhow's MCTE and ACE?
Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain visited the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army Centre for Electromagnetics (ACE) in Mhow on 3 October 2026 to review initiatives in niche technologies and innovation aimed at meeting future operational requirements. The visit was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence in an official statement.
What is the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) at Mhow?
The MCTE at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, is a premier Indian Army institution responsible for training and advancing telecommunications capabilities. It works alongside the Army Centre for Electromagnetics (ACE) to develop specialised technical expertise for military operations.
What happened at the India-Mongolia Nomadic Elephant 2026 exercise?
The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 concluded in Uttarakhand, focusing on Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Drills included Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, and drone and counter-drone employment.
What was Khaan Quest 2026 and where did it take place?
Khaan Quest 2026 was a multinational peacekeeping exercise held at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, which concluded in July 2026. India participated alongside other nations, with Mongolian defence leadership commending the professionalism and camaraderie of all contingents.
How do these developments reflect India's defence modernisation goals?
The Vice Chief's review of MCTE and ACE, combined with the Army's participation in technology-focused joint exercises, reflects India's broader push to integrate electromagnetic, cyber, and drone capabilities into its operational doctrine. The Army's increasing multilateral engagement is seen as an effort to benchmark its capabilities against global standards while advancing indigenous innovation.
