AIR Spotlight: Army Commanders' Conference

AIR Spotlight is an insightful program featured daily on the All India Radio Newsonair. In this program, many eminent panellists discuss issues of importance which can be quite helpful in IAS exam preparation. In this article, the recently held (April 2022) Army Commanders’ Conference is discussed.

Participants:

• Retired Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni, Defense Expert
• Ajay Banerjee, Journalist

Context: 

Army Commanders’ Conference, an apex level biannual event, has begun recently (April 2022) in New Delhi.

What is Army Commanders’ Conference?

• The Army Commanders’ Conference is an institutional platform for high-level discussions that culminate in the Indian Army making important policy decisions.
• Every year in April and October, the Army Commanders’ Conference is held at the highest level.
• The Indian Army’s senior leadership will review the operational situation along active borders during the five-day conference.
• It also assesses threats across the spectrum of conflict and analyses capability gaps in order to focus more on capability development and operational readiness plans.
• During the MoD Interaction Session, the conference also serves as a formal forum for senior Army leadership to interact with senior officials from the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Defense.
• Boards of Governors meetings of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) will be held as part of the conference.

Highlights from the Army Commanders’ Conference Meeting:

• Russia Ukraine War: The discussion at the Army Commanders’ Conference Meeting includes the assessment of any impact of the Russia – Ukraine war.
• Financial Management: Various agenda points sponsored by regional commands will be deliberated upon by the senior commanders apart from proposals concerning improving works, financial management, etc.
• Modernisation with Indigenisation: In the current geopolitical environment, India requires modernised defence products as well as strategic autonomy over them. This strategic autonomy can be achieved by developing a self-sufficient defence industry, which would benefit the Indian economy in the long run. Increased indigenous defence production is urgently needed to meet the needs of the armed forces while also reducing the burden on the exchequer. To meet the current requirements of modern warfare, India’s defence products need to be overhauled.
• General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs): The creation of the GSQR is one of the first steps in any new capital procurement project. It explains why the equipment is needed, its physical and operational characteristics, as well as the equipment’s maintainability and quality requirements. Professionalism is required in the creation of the GSQR, which is unquestionably one of the most important documents in the procurement process.
• China-Pakistan Angle: The protracted military stand-off with China at eastern Ladakh and the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan was among the major issues discussed prominently at the five-day Army commanders’ conference.
• Capability Voids and Further Development: The conference is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
• Infrastructure Development in Border Areas: The meeting agenda includes discussions on aspects relating to infrastructure development in border areas, modernisation through indigenisation, and induction of niche tech.
• E-vehicles in the Indian Army: With the gradual introduction of electric vehicles into its fleet of fossil-fuel-powered tanks, trucks, and jeeps, the Indian Army may adopt a new shade of green. The range of vehicles, the availability of charging infrastructure, and the time required to recharge batteries, in addition to the additional costs incurred, are all major issues that must be addressed.

Read more Gist of AIR Spotlight here.

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