Machines do not win battles; it is the aviator behind the machine who does. This was the central message from Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, as he addressed newly commissioned Army aviators at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS).
Reviewing the Passing-out Parade on Friday, Lt Gen Seth spoke about the unprecedented transformation sweeping through modern warfare. Today’s conflicts, he said, unfold in an environment shaped by precision strikes, contested airspaces, multi-domain operations and rapid decision cycles—a pace of change “unseen in decades”. In such a battlefield, he emphasised, Army aviation has become indispensable to the Indian Army’s operational readiness.
“Our mix
of manned and unmanned platforms gives commanders unmatched operational reach—from surveillance and reconnaissance to lift, attack and precision engagements. Together, these capabilities make Army aviation a decisive combat multiplier,” he said.
While new technologies and advanced platforms continue to expand this operational edge, Lt Gen Seth underlined that human skill remains the determining factor. “Even with cutting-edge capability, one truth remains constant: machines do not win battles. It is the skill, judgment and resolve of the aviators operating them,” he said, calling CAATS the Army’s growing centre of expertise for RPA operations and combat air manoeuvre.
To the young aviators beginning their careers, Lt Gen Seth offered a clear, firm reminder of the responsibilities that come with combat flying. Each sortie, he noted, demands total situational awareness, strict adherence to procedure, respect for the aircraft and an unwavering focus on mission safety. “In combat flying, the margins are thin and the stakes are high. Never cross the red lines, compromise safety or jeopardise the mission,” he cautioned.
This year’s ceremony was special, marking the first-ever combined passing out of officers from the Combat Aviation Course (CAC), the Army Helicopter Instructor’s Course (AHIC) and the inaugural Combined Internal Pilot and Observers Course.
Among the awardees, Capt Ajit Singh was named Best Cadet of the Combined IP/OB Course. Capt Kushal Sharma won the ‘Silver Cheetah’ trophy for topping the CAC, while Maj Paramveer Singh Shekhawat secured the top merit position in AHIC.
The event concluded with a dramatic combat aviation display featuring helicopters, RPAs, hexacopters, infantry units and armoured elements—a vivid showcase of the Army’s evolving air-land synergy.
