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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]