Exercise Amogh Jwala 2026: Indian Army Southern Command Combat Drill in Babina Firing Range — MPPSC & UPSC Notes

The Indian Army's Southern Command successfully conducted a 13-day high-tempo multi-domain combat exercise named 'Exercise Amogh Jwala 2026' from March 6 to March 18, 2026, at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh.

The exercise was reviewed by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Southern Command. It focused on validating technology-driven mechanized warfare capabilities, multi-domain battlefield transparency, and integrated live firepower.

• Exercise Name: Exercise Amogh Jwala 2026
• Operational Window: March 6 to March 18, 2026 (13 Days)
• Location: Babina Field Firing Ranges, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh (Near MP Bundelkhand border)
• Organizing Command: Southern Command, Indian Army (HQ Pune)
• Reviewing Officer: Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth (GOC-in-C Southern Command)
• Key Assets Deployed: T-90 Bhishma & T-72 MBTs, BMP-2 ICVs, Apache Attack Helicopters, Shaurya Squadrons, Kamikaze Loitering Munitions, and D4 Anti-Drone Jamming Arrays.

• Operational Testing of Shaurya Squadrons: Highlighted the successful combat integration of the Army's newly raised 'Shaurya Squadrons', embedding real-time drone surveillance and precision strike capabilities directly into tank regiments.
• Integrated Combined Arms Firepower: Synchronized maneuvers combining T-90 Bhishma and T-72 MBTs, BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, heavy artillery, and Apache attack helicopters.
• Loitering Munitions & Counter-Drone Warfare: Deployment of indigenous kamikaze suicide drones alongside advanced radio-frequency anti-drone electronic jamming systems.
• Night Combat & Battlefield Transparency: Precision strike maneuvers conducted under total darkness utilizing thermal imaging sights and real-time satellite data links.

• Babina Field Firing Ranges (Jhansi): Situated in Jhansi district (bordering MP's Niwari and Tikamgarh districts), Babina is India's premier facility for heavy armored and mechanized infantry drills.
• Major Firing Ranges Comparison:
• Babina Firing Range: Jhansi (UP/MP border) - Heavy Armored & Artillery Drills
• Mahajan Firing Range: Bikaner (Rajasthan) - Desert & Joint International Exercises
• Pokhran Firing Range: Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) - Live Missile & Ordnance Testing
• Key Military Establishments in Madhya Pradesh:

1. 1
   21 Strike Corps (Sudarshan Chakra Corps): HQ in Bhopal, MP.
2. 2
   Mhow Cantonment (Indore): Army Infantry School, Army War College, and MCTE.
3. 3
   Jabalpur Defence Hub: 506 Army Workshop, Signal Corps, and Ordnance Factory Khamaria.

• MPPSC Mains: Paper 3 (Unit 7) - Defence Technology, Indigenization of Weapons & Modern Security Architecture.
• UPSC Mains: GS Paper 3 - Security Challenges, Integrated Theatre Commands & Electronic Warfare Capabilities.
• Prelims Quick Facts: Babina Ranges, Sudarshan Chakra Corps (Bhopal), Army War College (Mhow), and Loitering Munition mechanisms.

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