New military doctrine and joint operations The Statesman 03 May 17

New military doctrine and joint operations The Statesman 03 May 17

The Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), Admiral Sunil Lanba, recently released the new military doctrine in the presence of the other two service chiefs. This doctrine proposes joint training, a unified command and control structure and a tri-service approach for modernization. It also mentions a framework for joint operations across all domains, land, air, sea, space and cyber space. […]

Heed the chief’s warning The Excelsior 01 Mar 17

Heed the chief’s warning The Excelsior 01 Mar 17

The recent comments by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat, on stern action against those interrupting anti-militancy operations, led to debates in every form of media, with most liberals, activists and politicians from opposition parties, decrying his comments. Articles in magazines and newspapers adversely commented on his statement, suggesting that this attitude would alienate locals and re-incite […]

A US-style unified command would sharpen India’s military edge The Quint 19 Jan 17

A US-style unified command would sharpen India’s military edge The Quint 19 Jan 17

The Prime Minister would be addressing the combined commanders conference in Dehra Doon on the 21st of this month. As per reports the army is scheduled to give a presentation on the establishment of ‘unified commands’ during the conference. This has immense significance for management of defence and national security, as it changes the very nature of the manner in […]

Shekatkar committee and the CDS The Excelsior 18 Jan 17

Shekatkar committee and the CDS The Excelsior 18 Jan 17

The defence ministry had formed a committee under Retired General Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat potential of the army and re-balance defence expenditure. The committee submitted its report in end Dec. It suggested a slew of measures to arrive at cost cutting and reducing manpower. Manpower reduction was recommended not from the military alone, but also from various […]

Agni V launch alters dynamics of the region The Statesman 10 Jan 17

Agni V launch alters dynamics of the region The Statesman 10 Jan 17

End December saw India do a successful launch of the nuclear capable Agni V missile, with an expected range of over five thousand kilometres. The missile achieved its objective and landed off the Australian waters. The present launch was from a canister, rather than a mobile launcher, for which it is being designed, implying more test launches are due, prior […]

India, Pakistan and a tale of two army chiefs The Wire 06 Jan 17

India, Pakistan and a tale of two army chiefs The Wire 06 Jan 17

General Bajwa assumed the mantle of army chief of Pakistan in end November, while General Bipin Rawat took command of the Indian army last weekend. General Rawat was commissioned in 1978, while General Bajwa in 80. Both had served almost simultaneously in the same mission in Congo, the difference being that General Rawat commanded the North Kivu Brigade and General […]

Let the new chief get on with his job The Statesman 27 Dec 16

Let the new chief get on with his job The Statesman 27 Dec 16

Though it has been over a week since Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat was designated as the next army chief, superseding two seniors, however, the controversy surrounding his appointment refuses to die down. The serving and veteran military community, media and political parties remain divided in their views on the governments decision. While TV debates on the topic have ceased, columns […]

Don’t politicize Army Chiefs appointment, or run down the record of those superseded The Wire 19 Dec 16

Don’t politicize Army Chiefs appointment, or run down the record of those superseded The Wire 19 Dec 16

The government announced the nomination of Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat as the new army chief on Saturday. He will assume his appointment on the evening of 31st December, when the present chief, General Dalbir Singh retires. Discussions have since dominated every form of media on the impact of this announcement. While there has been no word on the appointment of […]