On the eve of 64th Army Day, the Chief of Army Staff Gen V K Singh, told Asia Defence News Editor-in-Chief P N Khera in an exclusive interaction that he would like to assure his fellow countrymen that the Indian Army is fully prepared to meet any security challenges to the country. He said we have always made you proud and will continue to do so in future also. He further said, “Our predecessors have worked tirelessly and made supreme sacrifices to make the Indian Army the epitome of excellence and selfless service that it is today. It is now imperative upon us that we continue the good work done by them and achieve higher standards of professional excellence and serve with honour, dignity and live up to the expectations of the country”. He added, “I would like to request that Servicemen’s problem should be understood by the people and necessary support given to them to defend our country without looking over their shoulders for the welfare of their families”. Stressing that the Indian Army was fully prepared to combat internal and external threats, he said that was its priority.
He was happy and satisfied that projects he had initiated for the upgradation and capacity enhancement at various times were under process in the systems which did take their own time. He was confident that the Army would soon get all that it needed as import of guns and equipment was on the right track. He also pointed out that discipline and transparency were an act of faith of the Army and were being maintained strictly. There was no quarter for the corrupt. Action against the guilty will always be swift and exemplary.
He dwelt at length on the current South Asian security scenario, multi-dimensional threats, induction of new weapons and technologies, common regional challenges, border security concerns and cooperative security approach.
Fielding a wide range of questions, the Army Chief also explained gains of joint exercises, contemporary training, development of niche skills, import of artillery guns, capability enhancement, anti-militancy operations and minimum force doctrine.
Issues like changing nature of threats, one rank-one pension, Indian Army’s role as model peacekeeping force, disaster management, Armed Forces tribunal were also touched upon during the exclusive interaction. We present below some excerpts : MULTI-DIMENSIONAL THREATS
P. N. Khera: What are the internal and external challenges before the Indian Army today and how well are we prepared to meet the emerging situation?
Gen V K Singh, Chief of Army Staff : The contemporary security environment is dynamic and poses threat across the entire spectrum of conflict, to include both conventional and unconventional scenarios. These range from ‘traditional threats’ along our borders to ‘asymmetric threats’, including proxy war. Towards that end, strengthening of our security apparatus, to combat both internal and external threats, remains our priority.
In our preparedness to meet emerging situations continuous efforts are being made to meet conventional as well as sub-conventional challenges. Also, it is ensured that Army remains fully equipped, trained and ready to face any contingency arising in entire spectrum of conflict.
NEW WEAPONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
PNK : In terms of the modern military doctrine, Indian terrain and type of threats, what kind of new equipment and technologies will have to be inducted in the Indian Army ?
COAS : The long term perspective planning of the Army has been made in consonance with the stated doctrine, terrain as obtained in the Indian subcontinent and the technology perspective.
Our endeavour is to obtain the optimum equipment mix with updated technology for the Indian Army. Induction of new equipment has been necessitated for capability enhancement, to cover the entire conflict spectrum envisaged in our doctrine to include military operations other than war.
COMMON REGIONAL CHALLENGES
PNK : In view of continued instability in India’s neighbourhood what are your threat perceptions?
COAS : The porous nature of our borders, pose a serious security challenge. Terrorism is our other common regional challenge. We therefore, face varied security challenges, ranging from conventional and unconventional threats, that include proxy war, terrorism and insurgencies.
BORDER SECURITY CONCERNS
PNK : Would you like to spell out your security concerns on India’s borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal and imperatives of preparedness for Indian Army?
COAS : The security concerns on India’s borders are :
a) Unsettled border disputes.
b) Terrain and configuration obtaining on border, conducive to hostile actions by inimical elements.
c) Support provided to terrorists.
The Army has deployed adequate troops suitably supplemented by appropriate surveillance and technical intelligence resources to ensure the sanctity of the border areas along the Line of Control and Actual Ground Position Line in J and K, to ensure the desired national security objectives.
On the Indo-Bangladesh border due to terrain conditions, socio- economic factors and incomplete fencing of border in some stretches, the border at times is exploited by terrorists and other undesirable elements.
The Indian border with Myanmar is unique in nature wherein the Free Move Regime remains in force, facilitating cross border movement.
This provision, which originated due to ethnic and linguistic similarities existing across border, has its own dynamics.
The situation along the India-China border is normal and under control. Due to perceived differences in alignment of Line of Actual Control, some issues of local nature come up once in a while. The number of such incidents during the last three years has been generally as per established pattern. These cases are taken up with Chinese authorities through the established mechanism of hot lines, flag meetings and border personnel meetings and resolved.
Notwithstanding the above, areas along LAC are being kept under surveillance by physical deployment, regular patrolling by troops and other aerial, optronic and electronic means. Our army is well trained and motivated to fulfill all operational task assigned to it.
Infrastructure development plans have been evolved and are being implemented. This will facilitate speedy mobilisation, operational and logistical sustenance of formations.
COOPERATIVE SECURITY APPROACH
PNK : You have visited many countries to develop military-to-military cooperation which have also been reciprocated by other Service chiefs. What are the advantages of such visits and how useful have these visits been?
COAS : Visits are undertaken by Service Chiefs and Chairman, COSC and their equivalent in friendly foreign countries with specific aims and objectives. Accordingly, defence cooperation calendar of exchanges are worked out for engagement with immediate, strategic and extended neighbourhood and other developed nations with modern defence forces. Such visits are part of our cooperative security approach to build and sustain trust and mutually beneficial payoffs.
Besides fostering goodwill, these visits are utilised for interacting with key high level dignitaries and provide an opportunity to mutually benefit from each others experiences.
Such visits also provide opportunities to discuss shared concerns on threats and challenges like terrorism, avoidance of hostilities, maintaining regional peace and stability and positively shaping regional dynamics.
GAINS OF JOINT EXERCISES
PNK : Indian Army has held a large number of joint exercises with other armies of the world. What are advantages of such exercises and how do you rate the standards of Indian Army ?
COAS : Joint exercises are initiated, planned, coordinated with specific aims and objectives vis-à-vis a friendly foreign countries and region. A few of the tangible and intangible gains that accrue are:
(a) Tangible Gains.
(i) Learn doctrinal, conceptual, development and transformation aspects albeit at tactical levels.
(ii) Mutual sharing of tactics, techniques and procedures and selective incorporation into our battle drills and procedures.
(iii) Showcase own military professionalism.
(b) Intangible Gains.
Develop mutual trust, confidence amongst regional countries and Friendly Foreign Countries to shape regional dynamics and to enhance stability in the region. It also assists in asserting and extending our sphere of influence in the region.
(c) Political and Diplomatic Dimension.
Joint exercises are one of the multifaceted defence cooperation activities in open domain and have a political and diplomatic dimension.
Presently the joint exercises are pitched primarily at tactical levels for developing mutual confidence. They will graduate to higher levels in future. Indian Army has been holding its head high in such exercises.
CONTEMPORARY TRAINING
PNK : Due to induction of new technology and equipment in the Army, what steps are being taken to ensure contemporary training also to the troops ?
COAS : Army is in the process of both modernisation and transformation wherein absorption of new technology driven equipment and processes are on focus.
Army has been systematically creating a strong technological base for all ranks and empowering them by
training and updating them on both technology and new equipment being inducted.
Officers are being trained in modern technology and developments from top technical institutions in our country and abroad. JCOs and Other Ranks also undergo various diploma and certificate courses in engineering and are also put through a number of upgradation and equipment orientation courses to enhance their technical proficiency and skills. Train the trainers concept is also being followed at Cat A and B institutes.
DEVELOPMENT OF NICHE SKILLS
To ensure smooth induction of high-tech weapon systems and equipment, all ranks are being trained on their expert handling in pre and post induction phases. They are also associated from development stage of the equipment till its induction. Training with original equipment manufacturers helps in easy assimilation of technology and peculiarities of sophisticated equipment.
Modernisation of laboratories and technical infrastructure of our training establishments are also being undertaken to develop them as ‘Centres of Excellence’ in technical training. Similarly infrastructure at military stations is being upgraded to facilitate conduct of training through the modernisation of training infrastructure at military stations.
Simulators are also being inducted to ensure adequate training on new technologies.
IMPORT OF ARTILLERY GUNS
PNK : The much needed import of artillery guns, missiles and aviation equipment has been delayed. Has the preparedness of Army been affected ?
COAS : The import of artillery guns, air defence missiles and helicopters is an operational necessity, due to vintage and changes in operational requirement. Necessary action to modernise the Army are already underway.
While delay in induction of these has not critically affected the operational preparedness yet, we hope that the new equipment will be procured soon and the acquisition procedures are simplified.
CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT
PNK : To maintain high standards of preparedness and border management, what role do you expect from the States, Police Forces and para-military forces to spare the Army from internal security duties ?
COAS : Internal security duties are primarily the charter of the Police and Central Armed Police Forces. The Army is employed only when the situation is beyond their control. In the present situation when multiple internal security challenges are being faced by the nation, there is a need for capability enhancement of the CAPFs to be able to take on and effectively deal with the situation. Besides this, an effective joint mechanism, as existing in J and K and NE states, is desirable to ensure synergised efforts towards stabilising the situation.
The Army has always been forthcoming in providing assistance to the CAPFs, in terms of training and skill enhancement, for dealing with the internal security situations.
ANTI-MILITANCY OPERATIONS
PNK : What are your experiences and views on the deployment of the Armed Forces in counter-terrorism, anti-militancy and policing support to various state governments with large police and para-police services on their pay roll already ?
COAS : The maintenance of internal security order is the responsibility of state, employing the Police and CAPFs. Only when the security situation is beyond the control of the Police and CAPFs, the Army should get deployed in counter terrorism and anti-militancy operations. Army’s primary role is to guard the borders against external threats.
The states must take steps to expedite capability enhancement of Police and CAPFs, so that these agencies can efficiently execute the constitutionally assigned role of being the primary agencies for maintenance of internal security in the country; on their own.
CHANGING NATURE OF THREATS
PNK : How has the qualitative and quantitative nature of security threats changed during the recent years ?
COAS : In addition to conventional threat, terrorism, narcotics and weapon smuggling, piracy, illegal immigration have increased. This
has made it incumbent on our armed forces to be prepared for multifarious threats.
In quantitative terms, the increasing capability of our adversaries in terms of weapons and equipment increases are our requirement of
these. We also need to look into acquiring asymmetric capabilities.
India therefore faces unique challenges – ranging from ‘traditional land centric threats’ necessitating multi-front obligations, to
‘asymmetric threats’ including its proxy war manifestations, combined with other internal security challenges. The national security
framework therefore has to take cognisance of emerging security challenges across the entire spectrum of threats.
ONE RANK-ONE PENSION
PNK : Do you think the issue of one rank-one pension will become a reality ?
COAS : The subject of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and related issues are in the exclusive domain of the Ministry of Defence. The MoD and
the Government are addressing their demands most sympathetically and take a positive view after considering them comprehensively.
MINIMUM FORCE DOCTRINE
PNK : What is the doctrine of use of minimum force practiced by Indian Army? How many armies in the world, specially in South Asia
and our neighbourhood practice this doctrine ?
COAS : The Indian Army follows the Do’s and Don’ts while operating in areas where the AFSPA is invoked. Herein is enshrined the
principle of ‘Minimum Force’ vide which, while exercising the powers conferred under Section 4 of the Act, it is ensured that minimum
force required for the effective action against the person/persons acting in contravention of the laws of the land. Also prior to and
opening fire or using force against any person or persons, it is ascertained that the same is essential for maintenance of public order. Fire
is opened only after due warning.
All around us we do not see much of our effort to use minimum force.
MODEL PEACEKEEPING FORCE
PNK : Having earned praise in the UN Missions, how does the Indian Army differ from other armies of the world ?
COAS : India has very often been considered as a model in peacekeeping efforts, some of the major issues which contribute towards this
are :
a) Extensive experience in various types of operations in varied and diverse terrain.
b) High standard of training in general military aspects as well as for peacekeeping.
c) Quality of soldiers and young leadership.
d) High standard of discipline.
e) Uniquely Indian values – patience, perseverance, tolerance and humane behaviour.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
PNK : What has been the record of Indian Army in disaster management and goodwill mission towards civilians ?
COAS : Indian Army’s record in disaster management and goodwill mission towards civilian is unparalleled. Over the years Army has
been actively involved in provision of Aid to Civil Authorities to help them overcome a crisis and disaster situation. Whatever be the
nature or type of disaster, the Army has always stood up and delivered at the hour of reckoning; on many an occasion the Army has
responded despite itself being affected by the disaster. By virtue of its pan India presence and organisational strength the Army’s
response to a disaster situation has always been coordinated, swift and seamless, which was ably demonstrated during the recent
earthquake in Sikkim, where Army was at the forefront of rescue and relief operations.
During the year 2011, 147 columns, 23 Medical Teams and 40 Engineer Task Forces were deployed by the Army in ‘Aid to Civil
Authorities’.
ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL
PNK : How would the formation of Armed Forces Tribunal affect the governance and discipline in the Army?
COAS : With the establishment of AFTs, the disposal of cases filed by / on behalf of Army personnel has become quicker. This may
enhance the morale of troops . As such, it will have no effect on discipline in Army.
In case the principles of military jurisprudence are given due consideration distinct from Criminal Procedure Code it will enhance the
morale of troops. Presently, the system is in the process of stabilising as Army perceives it.
NO QUARTER FOR THE CORRUPT
PNK : Recently there has been a spurt in the allegations of corruption against the Army personnel, how do you view it and what deterrent
do you propose against the accused ?
COAS : Both the terms “scam” and “scandal” are labels, which have been used rather indiscriminately by the media and the public. These
have brought a degree of disrepute to the fair name of the Army, which is rendering a yeoman service to the nation.
There are two pertinent aspects of our investigative process, which needs to be highlighted. One, it needs a formal registration of an FIR
to initiate the investigations. These are done suo-moto, wherever and whenever a commander feels that an irregularity may have taken
place. Second, the rank and status of those whose decisions are being investigated have not deterred us from carrying out these
investigations. These are positives, in so far as our aim to ensure utmost probity and transparency in decision making is concerned.
It is to be noted that Army is amongst the very few organisations which have proactively sought to bring those indulging in any wrong
whatsoever to book, irrespective of rank or status.
PREPARED TO MEET CHALLENGES
PNK : On the Army Day, what is your message to the countrymen and the Army ?
COAS : I would like to assure my fellow countrymen that the Indian Army is fully prepared to meet any security challenge to the country.
We have always made them proud and will continue to do so in future also.
Our predecessors have worked tirelessly and made supreme sacrifices to make the Indian Army epitome of excellence and selfless service
that it is today. It is now imperative upon us that we continue the good work done by them and achieve higher standards of professional
excellence and serve with honour, dignity and live up to the expectations of our country.
I would like to request that the Servicemen’s problems should be understood by the people and necessary support given to them to
defend our country without looking over their shoulders for the welfare of their families.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/to-combat-internal-and-external-threats-is-armys-priority/
