Top Army commanders carried out a thorough review of India’s security challenges including along the borders with China and Pakistan, and resolved to enhance the operational capability of the force to effectively deal with potential adversaries, officials said Friday.
A plethora of pressing issues including speeding upinfrastructure development along the border with China and ways to ensurejointness among the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force were discussed by thecommanders at the conference which began on Monday and will conclude onSaturday.
Sources said the commanders also deliberated on emergingsecurity scenario along the border with Pakistan in the wake of Balakot airstrike and subsequent Pakistani retaliation.
The Army asserted that it is committed to peaceful securityenvironment and shall holistically address emerging threats while ensuring thatthere is no room for terror.
“The Army Commanders’ Conference has comprehensivelydeliberated all aspects of extant security dynamics, emerging securityscenarios, enhancing operational capability in near and long term andenhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries,” the Army said in astatement.
“The deliberations at the conference validated thecurrent course set by the military hierarchy, as merited by the dynamics ofemerging security and operational events,” it said.
The commanders decided that optimum force readiness will beensured to deal with any security challenge.
The Army said there was a review about state of existinginfrastructure along Northern borders and it has been decided to pursue keyprojects on higher priority, adding all weather connectivity to border areaswas an area of focus.
The sources said the commanders also delved intoimplementation of ambitious reform initiatives in the Army.
The commanders discussed the role of women officers in viewof government’s decision on their permanent commissioning.
“Avenues for making the lady officers experts in foreignlanguages, artificial intelligence, data management, cyber and space domainsare being examined,” the Army said.
The commanders also decided to re-prioritise the existingrequirements to ensure that the resources allocated for force modernisation andcapacity building be utilised by optimising allotted budget.
Referring to jointness, Army said all future securitychallenges will be dealt with by the three services.
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, in his address at theconference, talked about vision and high credibility of IAF missions and howthey can be synergised.
Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, also addressedthe Army Commanders, focusing on jointness and challenges in maritime domain.
Additionally, to promote indigenisation through ‘Make inIndia’, an exhibition of emerging and future defence technological innovationswas also held.
A total of 53 domestic companies participated in the event.
Officials said the commanders also deliberated on ensuringwelfare of the families of brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice, addingthe year 2019 has been declared as the year of ‘Next of Kin’.
They said Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat emphasised onthe need to enhance technological threshold of all ranks.