Employment of air power for close air support missions in operations necessitated planning and coordination in air space management between various agencies. Air defence, artillery guns and rockets, attack and reconnaissance helicopters as also close air support aircraft operated simultaneously in the same limited air space, possibly with different height zones, however a risk of being shot by friendly fire […]
As compared to any other organization in the country, the armed forces are the only ones without a voice. They have no means of venting their unhappiness on government decisions to those that matter, no union to support their demands, nor any right to protest, while wearing the uniform. Their top hierarchy can only raise its voice and request the […]
The Regiment of Artillery, also termed as the ‘Gunners’ would celebrate their 190th Raising day on 28th Sept. It was on this day in 1827, when the first Indian Artillery unit, 5 Bombay (mountain battery) was raised, though Babur was the first to employ artillery in India, in the first battle of Panipat. It has come a long way since […]
Recent press reports stated that a group of hundred serving officers of the ranks of Major and Lt Cols of the Army Service Corps (ASC) have approached the Supreme Court for rectification of an act of discrimination. They claim they are deployed on combatant tasks when the army needs them, but are denied benefits on promotion prospects, which come with […]
The previous defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, had formed a committee under Lt General DB Shekatkar (retired), to recommend measures to enhance combat potential of the armed forces. The committee submitted its finding in December 2016. It concerned itself with internal restructuring of the armed forces and establishments under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It had no role in considering working […]
May to Jul 1999, the Indian army fought its last major conflict with Pakistan, thrust down by Parvez Musharraf as its army chief. There is no doubt that we had let our guard down enabling Pak to infiltrate and establish positions at heights which most armies would think twice about recapturing. That was exactly Pak’s thoughts too and they were […]
The recent fratricide incident in the valley, where a jawan reprimanded by his superior officer for using a cell phone on duty, shot him fatally in anger, has been quoted in sections of the media as an example of junior leadership and man-management failure. This has been linked to reports that the army has over one hundred stress related suicides […]
Newspapers and online news portals are packed with articles condemning the army and its chief for its recent actions in Kashmir. The common Indian may disagree with the criticism, as an unofficial online poll on the Gogoi incident proved, yet there seems to be no end to army bashing. The chief’s unstinted support of the officer resulted in him being […]
The army chief, General Bipin Rawat, gave an interview to a national news agency last week. Opposition parties and media have accused him of making intemperate comments during his interaction. The statements, some partially misquoted, include phrases ‘dirty war in Kashmir’, ‘firing weapons instead of throwing stones’, ‘adversaries and your people should be afraid of you’ and his continued support […]
Militancy in J and K assisted by stone throwing, increased militant encounters, Chinese intrusions, regular firing incidents on the Pak border and aid to civil authorities ensure that the army remains in the limelight throughout. The nation witnesses’ discussions on TV concerning actions of the army, where veterans join a multitude of politicians spread across party lines, security analysts from […]