Sansad TV Perspective: Indian Army: Marching with times

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Indian Army: Marching with times

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Participants: 

1. Vinod Bhatia, Lt. Gen (Retd.)
2. Shekhar Dutt, Former Secretary, Ministry of Defence
3. Rameshwar Yadav, Lt. Gen (Retd.)
4. PJS Pannu Lt. Gen (Retd.)

Context: In order to offer remembrance to the enlightening journey of courage and sacrifice, every 15th day of January is celebrated as Army Day. The year 2022 celebrated the 74th Army Day with the theme “In Stride with the Future”.

Turning the pages of history: 

• It was on January 15, 1949, that Field Marshal K M Cariappa took over as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Bucher who was the last commander-in-chief of India. 
• In 1986, Gen Cariappa received the title of Field Marshal. 
• Every year, the Army Day parade is held on the 15th of January in Cariappa Parade ground in Delhi cantonment.
• Gallantry awards and Sena medals are awarded on this day and the awardees of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra take part in the Army Day parade every year.

Important facts related to 74th Army Day 2022:

• The Indian Army will be provided with new combat uniforms for its personnel aimed to provide more comfort and sustainability. This was designed in association with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) after analysing the combat uniform of other countries. This was decided in the Army Commanders Conference in 2021. The new uniform will increase the comfort of women officers as well. 
• The design was finalised by then-Army General Naravane along with the collective decision of the Army commanders.
• The new uniform is provided with a digital disruptive pattern and won’t be available in the open market. The uniforms will be barcoded and QR coded to maintain their uniqueness and will be available only through the ordnance chain or military canteens. 
• Only the combat uniform has been changed.
• The uniforms are designed by considering the ease in the deployment of troops and the climatic conditions in which they operate. 
• Collection of weapons that will be showcased include drones, advanced Light Helicopters, the BLT T-72 Bharat Rakshak tank, BrahMos missiles, the 155mm Soltum gun along with the Light Combat Helicopter from the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

Benefits of having the new uniform: 

• The new army uniform will have a cotton-to-polyester ratio of 70:30 which will speed up the process of drying and will be more comfortable to wear in humid and hot conditions and be lightweight also. 
• This will enhance the effectiveness of operations and introduce a new-generation camouflage combat uniform.
• The uniform has been designed by keeping 4Cs in mind: comfort, climate, camouflage and confidentiality. 

Challenges of the Indian Army:

• As India’s territorial boundaries are in the midst of significant threats from Pakistan and China, it is necessary for the Indian Armed Forces to gear up and tackle the challenges against national security. 
• There are increased frictions and confrontations resulting from the gray zone activities along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and the Line of Control. 
• There is inadequate funding for the modernization of the army which makes it difficult to adopt new technologies. 
• Contracting budgets in the defence sector is a major concern to tackle the future threats 

The Futuristic Measures:

• The Indian army needs a pragmatic leadership that intends to find methods not only to protect the integrity and sovereignty of our territories but also to ensure the existence of peace and tranquillity especially in the sensitive border areas. 
• To mitigate the challenges and adversities the Indian Army needs to be modernised which is also required for India’s evolution as a major regional power. This modernisation must include the incorporation of technologies.
• The focus of introducing technology is recommended to shift towards the high-altitude environment of India where conflict is most likely to occur. 
• The promotion of Atma Nirbharta in defence has considerably introduced a proper vision that aims to facilitate the needs of the armed forces strengthening our defence ecosystem. 
• However, experts infer that there is a dire need for conceptual clarity, decision-making, development of equipment and expansion of production to enable the benefits of self-reliance in defence. 

Read more about Atma Nirbhar in Defence and government steps in Perspective, Sansad TV.

• There is an operational necessity for the jointness and theatrisation of the Armed Forces at the national level.
• The Indian army needs to re-evaluate the intensity of its commitment towards internal security issues and counter-insurgency operations. 

Read more about the Armed Forces of India in the linked article

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

Perspective: Indian Army: Marching with times
:- Download PDF Here