“The facility aims at synergising multi-source sensor inputs in the region to deliver a unified surveillance picture and enhanced situational awareness for ground commanders,” a senior Army officer told TOI, stressing that jointness was no longer optional but operationally critical.Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited the centre on Tuesday, underlining the strategic importance the govt placed on integrated command and control structures in sensitive frontier regions.Sir Creek, a 96km marshy, salt-encrusted strip separating India and Pakistan in Gujarat’s Kutch region, has long been regarded as one of the most operationally challenging and strategically sensitive areas along the western border. Its difficult terrain, tidal creeks and proximity to the Arabian Sea make it vulnerable to infiltration, smuggling and maritime misadventures.An officer, who previously served in the region, said, “Its proximity to key naval and air bases, vital coastal installations, and its vulnerability as a potential route for infiltration make it a critical frontier for both surveillance and deterrence.” Given these complexities, traditional siloed operations by individual services were no longer sufficient, officers said. “With the evolving nature of modern warfare, the Sir Creek region provides an ideal testing ground for tri-service coordination. The terrain demands agility, constant inter-service communication and technological adaptability, all of which this centre is designed to strengthen,” another senior Army officer said.The joint control centre brings together inputs from ground sensors, maritime surveillance systems, aerial platforms and intelligence agencies, enabling commanders to respond faster and more decisively to emerging threats.Officials said the centre also enhanced coordination during joint exercises, disaster response and coastal defence operations, ensuring that all agencies operated from a shared operational picture. According to sources, experiences from recent operations, including Operation Sindoor, reinforced the need for institutionalised joint mechanisms rather than ad hoc coordination.“The Sir Creek and adjoining coastal sectors are among the most operationally demanding environments. It is essential to have coordinated efforts to tackle varied security challenges, ranging from infiltration and smuggling to unconventional maritime threats,” said a source. Conducting large-scale joint exercises in the region, officers said, allowed the forces to validate amphibious capabilities, coastal defence preparedness and inter-service communication under realistic conditions. “Such integration not only improves operational effectiveness but also reinforces deterrence,” an officer said.
