Progress made in the raising of the China-specific Mountain Strike Corps and status of infrastructure — including roads along the line of Actual Control(lAC) — will figure prominently during the five-day bi-annual Army Commanders’ Conference which began on Monday.
The Army top brass will also take stock of issues like cyber security to secure its information network besides pace of modernisation of the infantry and armoured corps involving tanks and armoured personnel carriers. The conclave will also review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and preparedness to deal with any challenge posed by China.
Elaborating upon the key areas to be discussed, officials said here the Strike Corps was given the go-ahead by the UPA Government two years back. It involves recruiting more than 45,000 personnel including officers and training them to fight a war in the mountains with China in the eastern sector apart from ladakh.
Rs80,000 crore were to be spent for raising the Corps and procuring specialised weapons for mountain warfare. However, the NDA Government reduced the budget for the Corps on the grounds that it was too high. Given this background, the Commanders will reviews the progress of the Corps which will have main staging areas in east India including Bihar and West Bengal, sources said. As per plans, the Corps is likely to be operationally ready in span of five to seven years.
The other critical issues listed for the conference include modernization of the Army Aviation Corps. At present, the Army is flying ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters to maintain logistical support to troops based in Siachen glacier and remote areas in Arunachal Pradesh. The Aviation Corps desperately needs at least 190 light utility helicopters and the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) has given the go-ahead for its procurement through Make in India policy. However, work is yet to start on this project.
The Commanders will also analyse the pace of modernization of infantry in terms of procurement of anti-tank capabilities specially third generation anti-tank guided missiles and firing system. India recently cleared a project to procure Israeli made Spyke anti-tank guided missiles. Upgradation of armoured personnel carriers will also come up for review. India has Russian made carriers called BMPs and they need urgent upgradation.
Cyber security and information warfare through satellite based systems are other two focus areas for the conclave, officials said adding Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag stressed the need for fool proofing of security of information including cyber during while inaugurating the meet.
The Army will also review its Mission Olympics aimed at producing medal winners in the global event to take place in Brazil next year. Army sportspersons are aiming for getting medals in events like boxing, wrestling, archery, shooting and athletics.
During its bi-annual commanders’ conference, the IAF will review its operational preparedness and pace of modernization of infrastructure including Advanced landing Grounds (AlG) in the north-east and ladakh. At least six such airfields are in various stages of up gradation and are expected to be ready for flying by the end of next year.
light and heavy transport aircraft will be able to land there throughout the year thereby ensuring uninterrupted logistical support to frontline troops.
The IAF commanders will also ponder over faster way to induct women fighter pilots after IAF chief Arup Raha last week said the Service was ready to have women in combat roles. Incidentally, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar is likely to discuss this issue with the three Services chiefs here later this week.