High-Altitude Logistics and Leadership: Insights from Col Meghna Dave

In this episode of Women in Defence, Col Meghna Dave, Commanding Officer of a logistics battalion in India’s Northeast, takes us inside the often unseen world of military logistics — the everyday challenge of sustaining forward troops in some of the harshest conditions on earth. From sudden snowfalls and landslides to the sheer complexity of moving men, machines, and supplies at high altitude, logistics demands foresight, resilience, and constant adaptation.

Her leadership style is rooted in presence: she chooses to live and work alongside her team, sharing their hardships and challenges. This approach not only builds trust but ensures decisions are grounded in the realities of terrain and weather, not just doctrine.

Beyond the immediate demands of supply and transport, Col Dave reflects on how logistics itself is transforming with technology, innovation, and sheer determination into one of the most decisive factors in modern warfare. Once viewed as mere support, it is now recognised as a strategic capability and force multiplier. With digital tracking, AI-driven forecasting, and even robotic mules reshaping the future of logistics, it is increasingly central to combat effectiveness and operational success.

“Without logistics, an army cannot sustain — even the frontline soldier cannot stand and fight without it,” she says. Her words remind us that every mission, every operation, rests on the backbone of logistics. It is not just about moving supplies — it is about foresight, planning, adaptability, and leadership in the toughest conditions.

This conversation is both a personal journey of command in a high-altitude theatre and a larger look at the evolving role of logistics in modern warfare.

Watch the full interview on BharatShakti YouTube channel to understand why logistics is not just the invisible backbone of the Indian Army, but also its decisive edge for the future.