In the backdrop of the Indian and Chinese armies locked in a stand-off at the Line of Actual Control(LAC)in Ladakh, Army Chief General M M Naravane on Wednesday reviewed the current security scenario and stressed the need for faster integration and modernisation of the armed forces.
Interacting with the officers at the prestigious College of Defence Management (CDM) and Bison Division at Secunderabad, he also focused on the geo-strategic implications on capability development and force utilisation of the Indian Army in pursuit of national interests.
During his address to the student officers and faculty of the CDM, Naravane spoke on a number of issues concerning integration, theaterisation and modernisation of the armed forces in general and the Indian Army in particular, the Army said here.
On the government’s decision to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and create the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), the Army chief said it was “a momentous one” and that the services needed to “demonstrate great wisdom and statesmanship in enabling the CDS, a long standing demand of the Armed Forces”.
He added that the next logical step in the process of defence reforms was the “formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to synergise the capabilities and combat potential of the three services during war and peace.” However, he advised that this process will be “deliberate, thoughtful and well considered” and its fruition will take a “number of years.”
Naravane explained to the officers that there was a need for everyone to work in a spirit of togetherness and trust with the national security interests being paramount. He added a note of caution and said that there might be a requirement for “mid course corrections.”
He was optimistic about the future of integration of the armed forces, which Naravane said was “an inevitability” as it would lead to “tri-services synergy” and optimisation of resources.
He commended the CDM for the excellent work related to grooming of tech-adept, management savvy and strategically nimble higher leadership. At the Bison Division, the Army chief was briefed by Major General Alok Joshi, General Officer Commanding, Bison Division on security and operational preparedness of the formation.
Later, the Army chief visited the Simulator Development Division (SDD), Secunderabad and the TATA Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) at Hyderabad, a joint venture facility of Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems established for co-production of Apache Helicopters-64. The COAS appreciated the “Make in India” initiatives and reinvigorated efforts towards indigenisation and being “Atmanirbhar” on niche technologies.
