Published: 8 September 2025Zee NewsScience & Technology
Army Chief Reveals Indigenous SAMBHAV Phones Replaced WhatsApp in Operation Sindoor
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, addressing the AIMA 52nd National Management Convention on September 9, 2025, revealed that the Indian Army replaced WhatsApp with its indigenous 5G-enabled secure communication system SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version) during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
SAMBHAV features multi-layered encryption and M-Sigma, an indigenous messaging app enabling secure exchange of documents, images and videos. First unveiled in January 2024, approximately 30,000 devices have been issued to officers. The system operates as an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem on modern 5G technology, making India self-reliant in military communications.
0Mains angle
Q: The Indian Army adopted indigenous SAMBHAV 5G phones during Operation Sindoor. Discuss the strategic significance of self-reliant secure communications for national security.
Answer (50 words):
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on 9 September 2025 revealed that the indigenous SAMBHAV 5G platform, integrating the M-Sigma messaging app with multi-layered encryption, replaced WhatsApp during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Roughly 30,000 devices were deployed to officers, ending foreign-app dependency and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in critical military communications.
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Frequently asked questions
What are SAMBHAV phones and how were they used in Operation Sindoor?
**Indian Army replaced WhatsApp with indigenous 5G-enabled secure communication system SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version) during Operation Sindoor in May**. SAMBHAV are India's indigenous secure phones that replaced WhatsApp for military communications during Operation Sindoor.
Why did the Indian Army replace WhatsApp with SAMBHAV during Operation Sindoor?
**SAMBHAV features multi-layered encryption and M-Sigma, an indigenous messaging app for secure document, image, and video exchange**. SAMBHAV provides end-to-end encrypted, quantum-safe communications unlike commercial apps vulnerable to interception.
What is Operation Sindoor and what were its military objectives?
**First unveiled in January 2024; approximately 30,000 devices issued to officers**. Operation Sindoor was a precision military strike operation against terrorist infrastructure.
What is the significance of India developing indigenous SAMBHAV secure phones?
**System operates as end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem on modern 5G technology**. SAMBHAV demonstrates India's defence technology self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Who manufactures SAMBHAV phones and what security technology do they use?
**Revealed by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi at AIMA 52nd National Management Convention on September 9, 2025**. SAMBHAV is developed in India using quantum-safe encryption for secure military communications.
