Terrorists groups are highly networked and more lethal, cautions PM-Army, Navy and Air Force asked 2consolidate its efforts n concentrate onimprovingD

Terrorists groups are highly networked and more lethal, cautions PM

Army, Navy and Air Force asked to consolidate its efforts and concentrate on improving defence

Iftikhar Gilani
New Delhi


Three services commanders here on Tuesday began discussions on issues pertaining to operational preparedness, capacity building, logistics and administrative aspects, even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for focusing on the cyber and information warfare, saying it could "qualitatively change" the concept of a battlefield. He also supported strengthening one’s own capabilities to face external threats and challenges like terrorism, Left-wing extremism and piracy.

Defence sources said the four-day conference being attended by the entire top brass of three services—the Army, the Air Force and the Navy—is also holding discussions on restructuring the Army headquarters, enhancing vigil at the vulnerable north and northeastern sectors and reorientation of Army and Airforce aviation power. Acquisition of fighter aircraft and security of island territory including increased role of the Navy in the Indian Ocean was also part of the discussion.

"The conference is also focusing on macro issues such as operational preparedness, equipment sustainment for mission readiness and maximising combat power generation capability of the Army including improvement of habitat in high altitude," the officials said. They are also evolving a mechanism to ensure efficient budgetary management. The last two days will be devoted to discussing matters related to military operational and human resource development, they said.

Identifying terrorism, Left Wing extremism and piracy as security challenges, the PM while inaugurating the conference, called for coordinated response to global problems. He said as major powers are "pre-occupied", India must strengthen its capabilities and "stand on our own feet".

Singh told top commanders that international strategic and political environment has deteriorated and it must be factored in the policies that India adopts internally or externally. He cautioned that terrorist groups were now "highly networked, nimble-footed, more lethal" and said there was need for appropriate responses. Describing cyber threats as an emerging "major source of worry” he pointed out that cyber and information warfare could "qualitatively change" the concept of a battlefield.

Earlier, the Army Chief General VK Singh spoke about various proposals for accretion of forces, which were in the pipeline and the need to look at infrastructural projects along the borders with greater deliberations. He stated that the situation in the northern and eastern sectors was still fragile, even though he complimented commanders for defeating terrorism and counter-insurgency.

The Army Chief mentioned that significant steps have been initiated for ‘Force Structuring’. General Singh talked about a proposal for ‘theatrisation’ of Combat and Combat Services Support have been completed and they would be test bedded during the forthcoming Southern Command Exercise.

“Processes are also on for re-structuring of Army Headquarters, so that it becomes a more responsive and synergised organisation. Regarding Army Aviation, the Chief stressed that the Army and the Air Force are deliberating at the highest level and the focus is to continue in the direction as envisaged. All these steps undertaken would ensure that our Army is more agile, responsive and effective,” he added.

‘Improvement of Habitat in High Altitude Areas’ and ‘Night landing capability for Airfields’ in the Northern and Western theatres was also deliberated over on the first day of the conference. “It was brought out that due to low temperatures at night, the carrying capacity of IL-76 would increase, thus helping in winter stocking as also for operational logistic build up. Induction of recruits was also debated on the first day, where in all were in cognizance that ‘online tests’ should be resorted to,” said the officials, who participated in the conference.

Iftikhar Gilani is Special Correspondent with Tehelka.com.
iftikhar@tehelka.com