Port Blair, Sept 25: The ever increasing inventory of the Defence Forces and the rapid pace of modernisation, coupled with the induction of latest weapons and equipment platforms necessitate crucial support agencies to ensure fighting fitness. Two Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) Workshops. toil tirelessly in keeping Military equipment ready for all roles aids every eventuality.
The Corps of EME of the Indian Army was raised in May 1943 as the Corps of Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Post Independence, the Corps was renamed as Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and was rechristened as the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers on 01 Jan 2001.
The Corps of EME continuously evolves in providing effective support to a wide spectrum of equipment of the Indian Army that spans across several technology generations. The Corps is also moving towards a paradigm shift in its complete philosophy of engineering support wherein the focus is moving from ‘Maintenance’ to ‘Sustainment’ of all Military Equipment. The Corps’ initiative towards addressing ‘Life Cycle Sustainment’ issues of weapon platform is truly laudable. The structures and processes within EME are presently undergoing transformation so as to support this new paradigm of ‘Life Cycle Sustainment’ for each genre of system and to evolve a leaner yet effective setup.
The two EME Workshops under the aegis of the Command render Engineering Support to all Land based assets of the three Services. This task is even more challenging, due to large range and depth of equipment in the inventory of the three Services, long supply chain, and effects of coastal and saline climate. In sync with the Corps Moto of ‘KARAM HI DHARAM’ the Soldier Craftsmen are rendering effective maintenance and repair support by innovative means and utmost dedication to ensure maximum availability of reliable equipment.
Static Workshop, Port Blair has also provided employment opportunity to the local populace by recruiting technical tradesmen. Recruitment of ten more civilian technical tradesmen has also been recently completed and appointment letters handed over to the selected candidates who will join as Civilian Defence employees shortly.
Col Harmit Singh, Command PRO stated that the concern for the environment is always at the forefront for the Defence Forces, especially here in these islands, and towards this end, a Pollution Check Centre for the Defence Vehicles has recently been established in the Static Workshop, Port Blair and the Workshop affiliated to the Army Brigade.
