https://cenjows.gov.in/article-detail?id=116 Where is jointness in army rightsizing? CENJOWS 22 Oct 18 The army’s top commanders met last week seeking to evaluate four studies which had been conducted by senior officers on right sizing the army, reducing redundant layers and working towards meeting the aspirations of the officer fraternity, who are most impacted by the pyramidical structure. A press release issued […]
India is possibly the only nation in the world which has two nuclear powered adversaries on its borders, seeking Indian territory. The close relationship between Pak and China, dubbed as ‘higher than mountains and deeper than oceans’, always creates a threat of a two-front war, which would be the worst-case scenario for the military. While China has not supported Pak […]
The Indian army’s organization structure has remained unchanged since Independence. It has continued to follow the Command, Corps, Division and Brigade model. Its training pamphlets mention that the Division is the basic fighting formation. There has been no change in its organization structure despite changes in almost everything, equipment profile, technology, communications, mobility, nuclear warfare, concept of operations etc. In […]
In a reply to a question raised in parliament, the government stated that the army faces a shortfall of 7,298 officers. The statement read, ‘As on 01 Jan 2018, the authorised strength of the army was 49,933 but it has 42, 635’. This shortfall impacts the lowest levels of leadership. It is this cutting edge of leadership which has ensured […]
Theatre commands are back in the limelight. Multiple articles have appeared in the press recently, either justifying or seeking to delay its implementation. It does appear that services, other than the air force have been seeking its implementation, while the air force and its supporters have been criticizing the same. The commencement of the debate was an article in CENJOWS […]
The three services appear to be moving in different directions, ignoring the one binding factor, which should have been exploited to the hilt, the HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS). Though without the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), this body remains toothless, yet if utilized imaginatively under the guidance of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), it could […]
The armed forces for once are facing a shortfall of funds impacting every sphere of their activity, whether it be stocking of critical ammunition, upgrading military capabilities or the raising of the mountain strike corps. Maintaining a modern military is essential as also is internal development and provision for social projects within the country, the constant ‘bread versus butter battle’. […]
General The army is in the process of carrying out its cadre review for officers after a gap of 35 years. As per government orders, the same is to be scheduled every 5 years. Immense water has flowed under the bridge during the gap between the reviews. Internal concepts and promotional procedures are still based on the era of seventies, […]
Reports surfaced last week that the army, faced with a growing salary budget and an immense officer shortfall, has moved a proposal to increase intake of Short Service Commission (SSC) and correspondingly reduce the number of permanent commission officers. The MoD appears satisfied with the proposal, which also involves offering some lumpsum payments to those who serve 10 or 14 […]
The first meeting of the Defence Planning Committee (DPC) headed by the NSA, Ajit Doval, was held early this month. It being the first meeting, a statement mentioned, ‘No major decision was taken. The meeting, which lasted for around two hours, discussed the key challenges ahead and how to address them’. Another statement mentioned, ‘The members deliberated on the geo-strategic […]