Indian Army: News and Discussion

[12arya]

2nd time in history, all 3 Chiefs to be from same NDA course

(From left) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane and Admiral Karambir Singh

When Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane of the Sikh Light Infantry takes over as Chief of the Army Staff from incumbent Gen Bipin Rawat on December 31, it will be only the second in the history of the armed forces that the chiefs of all three services are from the same course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Kharakvasla.

Admiral Karambir Singh, who took over as the Chief of Navy Staff when Admiral Sunil Lanba retired on May 30, 2019, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who took over from Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on September 30 this year, are from the 56th course at the NDA. So is Lt Gen Naravane, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff. In another coincidence, all three happen to be sons of Air Force officers.

The other instance of all three chiefs being from the same course was in the early 1990s when Gen Sunith Francis Rodrigues, Admiral Laxmi Narayan Ramdas and Air Chief Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri were heading their respective services. All three were from the first course at NDA. This course also produced three Maha Vir Chakra recipients during the 1971 India-Pakistan war

 

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Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Army chief

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is due to retire on December 31 after a three-year stint. He is expected to be appointed as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff.

Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane appointed as next Army chief


Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane will be the next Chief of Army Staff leading the 1.3 million-strong force. He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is due to retire on December 31 after a three-year stint. He is expected to be appointed as the country's first Chief of Defence Staff.

Before taking charge as vice chief of the Army Staff in September, Lt Gen Naravane was heading the Eastern Command of the Army which takes care of India's nearly 4,000-km border with China.

"It is an honour to be given this responsibility," Lt Gen MM Naravane said in his first reaction after appointment as next Army chief.

When asked about challenges that may lay ahead of him in his new posting, Lt Gen MM Naravane that it was too early to say about it right now as to what would be the focus areas. "Will have to deliberate on it in times to come."

In his 37 years of service, Lt Gen Naravane has served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

He has also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and an infantry brigade on the eastern front.

He was also part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and had served as India's defence attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years.

Lt Gen Naravane is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.

He was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980.

The General is a decorated officer who has been awarded the 'Sena Medal' (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.

He is also a recipient of the 'Vishisht Seva Medal' for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland and the 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' for commanding of a prestigious strike corps.

 

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New Chief of Army Staff to be announced soon, 3 names sent to PM Modi
First Chief of Defence Staff will also be named shortly. Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat continues to be the front-runner for the post.

File photo of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat | PTI

New Delhi:The Narendra Modi government will soon announce the name of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and also the country’s first four-star Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a decision the armed forces have been awaiting with bated breath amid all the speculation.

In contention for the post of COAS are three officers whose names have been sent to the Prime Minister for final selection, ThePrint has learnt.

In August this year, ThePrinthad reportedthat Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is set to become the first CDS — the sole adviser to the government on all three services.

Gen Rawat retires on 31 December — three months before he turns 62, the upper age limit for service chiefs.

Sources said the name of the CDS and the new Army chief is likely to be announced at least two weeks before Gen Rawat’s retirement.

Contenders for the post of Army chief
According to sources, the three officers in contention for the COAS post are Vice-Chief Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Satinder Kumar Saini.

Lt Gen Naravane, who has also served as the Eastern Army Commander and Commander of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), is the senior-most among the three.

Known as the quintessential Army man, Lt Gen Naravane, from 7th Sikh Light Infantry, took over as the Vice-Chief on 1 September 2019 and has vast experience in counter-insurgency operations both in Kashmir and the northeast. He has also commanded a battalion of the Army’s counter-terrorism unit in Kashmir — Rashtriya Rifles.

The officer was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force when it was deployed in Sri Lanka during the civil war, and served as India’s defence attache at the Indian embassy in Myanmar for three years.

Sources said Naravane is the front-runner to take over as the Chief of Army Staff. However, given the Modi government’s record of ignoring seniority while selecting the military chiefs, Lt Gen Singh is a strong contender too.

He was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during the 2016 surgical strikes.

During the 2015 Myanmar operation, he was Additional Director General of Military Operations (ADGMO). He is seen as the face of the operation because he read out the official statement to the media after the strikes.

Commissioned into the 9th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, he has vast experience in planning both operational and information warfare as he has served in the Military Operations directorate as a Colonel, Brigadier, Major General and Lieutenant General. He served as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Training) before taking over the Northern Command.

Incidentally, he is a beneficiary of the Modi government’s decision to lower the service tenure one must have left for selection as an Army commander. While it was 24 months until 2017, it now stands at 18 months.

Even though Gen Rawat is the front-runner and literally the lone candidate to become the CDS, a lot of speculation is doing the rounds in the armed forces about who the first incumbent will be.

At the defence ministry level, sources said, the names of the three service chiefs were initially discussed but Gen Rawat emerged as the consensus candidate.

However, this alone does not guarantee his appointment as the CDS. In the case of incumbent Air Force chief Air Chief MarshalRakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, his name did not originally figure in the list sent to the PMO, which later sought his file.

Rumours circulated by a section also suggested that a vice-chief could become the CDS. This would, however, be surprising because an officer who has not even commanded his own service would then become the ‘first among equals’ and the single pointsperson for the PM on defence matters.

“There are rumours because the experience with this government is that whosoever’s name comes up, he does not make it. The Prime Minister holds the trump card,” said a source in the government.

The CDS job profile
Whoever becomes the CDS will have a tough task at hand. All procurement matters will come under the CDS, as will budgetary allocation for the three services.

He will also be heading the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), Cyber Command, Space Command and the Armed Forces Special Operations Command.

The CDS will be spearheading the Modi’s government’s plan for integration of the three services and creation of theatre commands.

Gen Rawat had said, “Whoever becomes the CDS, he will have to be the first among equals. Whichever service he belongs to, he will have to shed the inhibitions of that service. He will have to convince the other two that we need to work together.”

He said the CDS would work on bringing the three services together, at both top and bottom levels, such as integrating training establishments and logistics.

“Some of the operational doctrines would have to be integrated. And finally we will have to come out with theatre commands. One commander controlling everything,” he said, adding that integration of the Ministry of Defence with the three services is also necessary

 

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Indian Army foils BAT action along LoC, 2 Pakistani Army SSG troops killed
Manjeet Singh Negi
New Delhi
December 17, 2019
UPDATED: December 17, 2019 16:52 IST

Photo for representation

Two Pakistani Army SSG troops were killed by the Indian Army while foiling a BAT(Border Action Team) action by the Pakistani Army along the Line of Control.

The Pakistan Army was trying to do execute a BAT action against the Indian Army post in Nathua ka Tibba in Sunderbani sector.

There was a heavy exchange of fire between India and Pakistan Army including the firing of anti-tank missiles and rockets in which one Indian soldier died.

Indian Army is on high alert on the entire LoC to avoid any such further attempt by the Pakistani side.

 

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Army targets LeT, JeM terror launch pad in Neelum Valley; many dead
By
Daily Excelsior
-
22/12/2019

Image shows terror launch pad hit in forward area of Neelum Valley in PoK.


2 Pak jawans killed, bid to regain posts foiled
Situation remains tense on LoC
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 21: Pakistan army last night made fresh attempt to regain its lost posts in Khour and Pallanwalla areas on the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector of this district but their attempt was foiled by the Indian troops resulting into death of at least two Pakistani troopers while Army destroyed a terror launch pad of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfits in forward area of Neelum Valley in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) opposite Kupwara sector, leaving many militants inside dead.
There has been spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan army on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir during past few days, the latest one being witnessed on December 19 when Pakistan’s Brigade Headquarters and Special Services Group (SSG) Centres were hit in the Indian retaliation leading to several casualties, both fatal and non fatal, across the LoC.
Sources told the Excelsior that after a gap of about a fortnight, Pakistan army last night made yet another attempt, third in past one month, to regain four to five posts which they had lost in retaliatory action by the Indian troops earlier, by resorting to very heavy volume of firing and shelling on forward posts and civilian locations along LoC in Khour and Pallanwalla sectors of Akhnoor tehsil.
The Indian Army which was anticipating such an attempt by Pakistani troops retaliated Pakistani shelling and firing very effectively, leading to heavy exchanges that lasted for about two hours. Thereafter, small arms firing also continued for next three hours. However, Pakistan army failed in its plot to regain the last posts.
“At least two Pakistan army personnel were killed in retaliation action by the Indian troops. Their bodies were lying on the LoC but till this afternoon, Pakistan army made no attempt to retrieve the bodies even as there was no firing from the Indian side during the day,’’ sources said, adding that Pakistan was desperate to regain the lost posts to use them for facilitating infiltration attempts into the Indian territory.
Subsequent intercepts confirmed the killing of two Pakistan army personnel in Indian retaliatory firing and extensive damage to one Pakistani bunker. However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistani firing.
A physical verification, however, could not be carried out because of the tense situation along the Line of Control, sources said.
“There was heavy exchange of fire between India and Pakistan armies after the later violated the ceasefire in Akhnoor sector during the intervening night of December 20 and 21,” Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said, adding further details are awaited.
He said the Pakistan army also initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars and artillery in Keri Battal area of Sunderbani sector in Rajouri district around 11.30 am.
“Indian Army retaliated befittingly,” he said adding the heavy exchange of fire between the two sides was going on when last reports were received.
A police official said a number of forward villages were hit by the Pakistani shells but there was no immediate report of any casualty.
“People have been advised to stay inside underground bunkers and take precautionary measures to avoid any casualty during Pakistan shelling and firing,” he added.
Meanwhile, a terror launch pad has been destroyed by the Army in Neelum Valley of Pakistan occupied Kashmir opposite Kupwara sector on the LoC.
Sources said the terror launch pad was targeted by the Indian Army in forward area of Neelum Valley after developing specific inputs that the Pakistan army personnel had kept militants of LeT and JeM outfits there to push them into the Kashmir valley.
“The terror camp was accurately hit,’’ sources said but couldn’t confirm number of casualties of the militants as the camp caught fire and was destroyed. The camp was being protected by Pakistan army’s Special Services Group from four adjacent buildings. However, many militants hiding inside the camp were believed to have been killed.
Sources said the camp had been located in the village but Pakistan army had already shifted civilian population from there and structures had been occupied by the Pakistan SSG personnel.
Ambulances were seen moving in the area.
However, the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri remained peaceful since yesterday. LoC in these two districts has been very active for the past several months with Pakistan army regularly resorting to shelling and firing on the Indian forward posts as well as civilian locations.
Ceasefire violations by Pakistan army which started after February 14 Pulwama attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were martyred, had intensified since August 5 when the Centre scrapped special Constitutional provisions of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
Pakistan army has suffered heavy casualties and infrastructural losses in retaliation by the Indian troops but it continued to aid and abet infiltration by the militants on the LoC under the covering fire. However, majority of infiltration attempts have been foiled by the troops.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan troops exchanged heavy shelling along the LoC in North Kashmir today.
An official said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara this evening.
He said that firing started at around 4:15 p.m. and continued till 7:30 p.m. “Both the sides used mortars and heavy machine guns to target each other’s posts”, he said

 

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[ezsasa]

Anyone noticing the product innovations IA chaps are doing themselves.

This is my favourite so far.....

IA better tag this major with a non-DPSU company to further improve on the design.

Edit: i think if IA can bring this gentleman down south, within two months some companies in Tamil Nadu & Bangalore can improve and have combat ready prototype ready in two months(except for lithium ion battery).

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[12arya]

Gen Naravane issues warning to Pak

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/gen-naravane-issues-warning-to-pak-790286.html

 

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2 jawans martyred as army foils major infiltration bid by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

The infiltrators were intercepted in Khari Thrayat forest in the wee hours when they were trying to sneak into India from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a defence spokesman said.

Jammu
January 1, 2020
UPDATED: January 1, 2020 22:00 IST

Martyred soldiers Naik Sawant Sandip Raghunath (29) and Rifleman Arjun Thapa Magar (25) (PTI photo)


Two Indian Army jawans lost their lives as security forces foiled a major infiltration bid by terrorists along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on New Year's day.

The infiltrators were intercepted in Khari Thrayat forest in the wee hours when they were trying to sneak into India from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a defence spokesman said.

"In the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, a contact was established with infiltrators in a forest in Naushera Sector.

"The heavily armed terrorists retaliated and in the ensuing exchange of fire two soldiers of the Indian Army were critically injured and later succumbed," Army's Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement on Wednesday.

The officer identified the deceased soldiers as Naik Sawant Sandip Raghunath (29) and Rifleman Arjun Thapa Magar (25).

Sawant hailed from Munde-Karhad village in Satara district of Maharashtra. He is survived by his wife Smita Sawant.

Magar (25) belonged to Rip village in Gorkha district of Nepal. He is survived by his parents.

"Naik Raghunath and Rifleman Magar were brave, highly motivated and sincere soldiers. The nation will always remain indebted to them for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," Lt Col Anand said.

Officials said the Army had launched a cordon and search operation following information about movement of suspected terrorists. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and a massive operation is on to track down the terrorists, they said.

 

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Senior general tells commanders to shun military pageantry
In directions issued on New Year’s eve to improve the operational readiness of the Jaipur-based South Western Command , its chief Lieutenant General Alok Singh Kler has written to 265 commanders to adopt a nuts-and-bolts approach to soldiering as “it’s not a question of if but when we go to war”.

india Updated: Jan 02, 2020 03:26 IST
Rahul Singh
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Lieutenant General Alok Singh Kler (HT Photo)

One of the Indian Army’s senior-most generals has asked commanders under him to shun military pageantry, ensure offices shut by 2 pm (the time they are meant to be shut), and encourage professional dissent (as different from insubordination) as they focus on their primary task – constant readiness for battle.

In directions issued on New Year’s eve to improve the operational readiness of the Jaipur-based South Western Command , its chief Lieutenant General Alok Singh Kler has written to 265 commanders to adopt a nuts-and-bolts approach to soldiering as “it’s not a question of if but when we go to war”.

Kler said he wrote the letter because “we can’t afford to be a peace-time army”.

“The air force and our Special Forces are 24x7 operational and combat worthy due to their nuts-and-bolts approach to soldiering. There is a fabulous saying, ‘If you want to be peaceful you must retain the ability of intense violence. If you lack the capability of violence, you are not peaceful you are harmless’…I want to retain combat capability and worthiness at all times in peace,” he stressed.

The command has around 130,000 soldiers and is responsible for guarding India’s border with Pakistan in Rajasthan and Punjab.

“Soldiers are authorised to smile,” Kler’s directions read. “Commanders at all levels must ensure that they lead a happy team, which is well bonded, maintains excellent bonhomie and ‘looks out for each other’.”

HT has reviewed the five-page letter written by Kler to the commanders. “I have interacted with over 120 commanding officers and all my brigade commanders in a series of skip-level meetings. I have introspected on the core issues that plague our system that affect operational readiness. Certain functional changes will thus be ruthlessly executed,” writes Kler, who took charge of the command four months ago.

The commanders have also been told there will be no ostentatious display of red carpets, flags and pageantry during visits by top officers.

In June, soon after taking over Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh also issued a draft of instructions to curb ostentatious displays in the force, from doing away with multiple cars for the navy chief during official visits to asking junior officers to be respectful not subservient.

Kler’s directive also asks officers to strictly adhere to office timings as anyone working beyond 2 pm lacks efficiency. The army’s office hours in commands end at 2 pm because soldiers are also required to spend time on physical training and operations.

His letter also explains why these measures are necessary — because the command has to stay prepared for war, conforming to high military standards and professional excellence. “Every individual must believe that he or she is a professional trained to fight the adversary, both internal and external, and must prepare his or her mind, body and soul as such,” Kler writes.

 

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Outgoing Army Chief Gen Rawat Hails Indian Army's Teamwork, Says 'COAS Doesn't Work Alone'
General News
During his speech, General Bipin Rawat said that the entire Indian Army worked together for his successful tenure as the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS)




India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat received his farewell Guard of Honour as the Army Chief at South Block in Delhi. During his speech, General Bipin Rawat said that the entire Indian Army worked together for his successful tenure as the Chief of Army Staff. General Bipin Rawat also gave his wishes to new CoAS General Manoj Naravane.

General Rawat also said that the Indian Army is better prepared to take on the challenges at Pakistan and China border. Earlier on Tuesday, General Bipin Rawat paid tribute at the National War Memorial in New Delhi as he ended his tenure as Indian Army's Chief of Staff.

Speaking to the media, General Bipin Rawat said, "Today as I demit the office of Chief of Army staff, I wish to convey my gratitude to the soldiers, rank, and file of the Indian Army who has stood steadfast under challenging circumstances. Congratulations to our brave women, Veer Mata's, civilians who supported us together. The Army Chief does not work alone, he is tasked with the teamwork of soldiers."

"Bipin Rawat is just a name that is formed by the Chief of Army Staff containing the entire army. I also thank the media for their support and I wish they continue to with the same support for the new chief. I wish to convey my best wishes to General Manoj Naravane who will be assuming the office as the 28th Army Chief, for a successful inning. He is capable of for this big responsibility of being the Army Chief."

Speaking about the CDS post, General Bipin Rawat said, "The post of Army Chief is very important and I was focused solely on that only. I have focused only on this post and worked till I handed over officially. It's wrong to say that I was planning and focusing on the Chief of Defence Staff post while being on the post of Chief of Army Staff."

ACC clears appointment
Earlier on December 30, General Bipin Rawat was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for the post as per sources. This development came a day after the Central Government amended the Army Rule of 1954 which now provides an extension of tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff if deemed necessary. Hence the 61-year old can serve up to the age of 65 now as the CDS.

General Bipin Rawat's career
General Bipin Rawat was first commissioned into the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978. He has commanded an infantry battalion along the Line of Actual Control, a Rashtriya Rifles Sector, and an infantry division in the Kashmir Valley. During his career span of 37 years, he has been awarded for his gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM in 2013, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation.

He took over as the GOC-in-C Southern Command on 1 January 2016 and assumed the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff on 1 September 2016. Soon he was appointed as 27th Chief of the Army Staff, superseding two more senior Lieutenant Generals, Praveen Bakshi, and Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz on 17 December 2017. He has a vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations

 

[12arya]

Pakistan Post In PoK Opposite J&K's Keran Destroyed By Indian Army

https://www.republicworld.com/india...site-j-and-ks-keran-blown-by-indian-army.html

Written By Digital Desk | Mumbai | Updated On: December 30, 2019 11:39 IST



In a massive victory for the Indian Army, the forces on Sunday has demolished a Pakistan post in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), along the Line of Control opposite Jammu-Kashmir's Keran sector. Visuals show the post situated in between the hills destroyed by Indian Army's retaliation with heavy smoke seen rising from the ruins. Pakistan had yet again targetted civilians in PoK.

 

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Naravane, a China and counterterror expert
Given India’s security challenges in Kashmir and the north-east, and the strategic competition with China, his experience will carry great value in national security decision-making.
Rahul Singh
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

The new chief of the Indian Army, General Manoj Mukund Naravane(ANI Photo)

The new chief of the Indian Army, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, is considered a China expert and has vast experience in counterterror operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east.

Given India’s security challenges in Kashmir and the north-east, and the strategic competition with China, his experience will carry great value in national security decision-making.

The 59-year-old general will serve in the top position for two years and four months. Service chiefs can serve for a maximum term of three years or till they attain the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

A big challenge for Naravane will be to ensure the army gets money to power its modernisation programmes. Currently, the three services are battling a funds crunch that could hit critical weapons procurement plans.

Before taking over as chief, Naravane was the army’s vice chief. He had headed the Kolkata-based Eastern Command.

In appointing Naravane as army chief, the government has gone by seniority.

Naravane also takes over as chief at a time when the biggest exercise in independent India’s history to restructure the force is underway.

The restructuring drill, based on four comprehensive studies led by the army’s topmost generals, could change the complexion and direction of the 1.2 million- strong Indian Army.

In his 39-year military career, Naravane has commanded a Rashtriya Rifles battalion, raised an infantry brigade, led a strike corps and headed the Army Training Command. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Naravane was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and has also served as India’s defence attache to Myanmar.

 

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Army doctors help woman deliver baby on train.
A picture accompanying the tweet shows Captain Lalitha and Captain Amandeep of Indian Army 172 military hospital with the baby they helped to deliver.

Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Two women captains from the Indian army helped a woman deliver her baby inside a train.(Twitter/@adgpi)

 

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Army studies extension of service by 10-18 years
The proposed service extension, backed by army chief General Bipin Rawat, is different from another scheme being implemented by the army to increase the retirement age of jawans by two years, the second officer said.

Rahul Singh
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

The army headquarters asked all seven commands across the country to identify arms and services where soldiers could serve longer but the initial response was not encouraging. The feedback indicated that only about 10% jawans could be eligible for the proposed extended tenure.(AP)

The Indian Army is scrutinising a proposal that seeks to employ its specialised manpower for longer periods by granting soldiers from some of its select wings a service extension of 10 to 18 years — a move that could benefit more than 400,000 jawans, two senior army officers said on condition of anonymity on Saturday.

The army is in the process of identifying cadres — ranging from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and Army Air Defence to Army Aviation and Army Medical Corps — where soldiers can discharge their duties and responsibilities efficiently till the ages of 50, 54 and even 58 instead of retiring at 40, said the first officer cited above.

The proposed service extension, backed by army chief General Bipin Rawat, is different from another scheme being implemented by the army to increase the retirement age of jawans by two years, the second officer said.

The army headquarters asked all seven commands across the country to identify arms and services where soldiers could serve longer but the initial response was not encouraging. The feedback indicated that only about 10% jawans could be eligible for the proposed extended tenure.

The army has a sanctioned strength of nearly 50,000 officers and 1.2 million personnel below officer rank.The army headquarters has sought the views of the commands again as it believes that a significantly higher number of jawans can serve 10 to 18 years more. “An internal assessment suggests that the service of 30%-40% jawans in different arms and services can be progressively extended to 50, 54 and 58 years. It doesn’t make sense to waste trained manpower at an early age when the men still have a lot to contribute to the organisation,” said the first officer.

Jawans get recruited at the age of 17 and retire before they turn 40, with a pension that is not enough to make ends meet. “At that age, the jawans have school-going children. They have to go around looking for jobs as they have other responsibilities too. Increasing the retirement age wherever it is possible will benefit both jawans and the organisation,” said the second officer.

He said the retirement age could be raised to 50, 54 and 58 in a phased manner, depending on the duties the soldiers are required to discharge. “There is no need to retire a technician from the Electronics and Mechanical Engineers at 40.

Likewise, an X-Ray technician from the Army Medical Corps can easily serve till the age of 58. Some people argue that they cannot be posted to difficult areas in their 50s. That’s only a matter of cadre management as younger soldiers can be sent there,” the second officer added.

All aspects related to increasing the retirement age of jawans are being monitored by the army’s adjutant general, a three-star officer. Experts said there was enough scope to increase the retirement age of jawans in select wings.

“As far as frontline combat is concerned, the army needs young blood and circulation has to be there. But there are many areas where the retirement age of jawans can be increased. These areas have to be identified with care,” said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal (retd).

 

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General Bipin Rawat: A leader not afraid of tough calls, challenging status quo
Those who have known the 61-year-old general for several decades say Rawat thinks outside the box, takes hard decisions and is not afraid of challenging the status quo.

Rahul Singh
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

(PTI Photo)

From changing the face of United Nations peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to initiating the biggest exercise to restructure the army to closely supervising India’s two publicly acknowledged surgical strikes on foreign soil, Bipin Rawat, a rare general who does not play golf, brings enormous experience to the table as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff.

Those who have known the 61-year-old general for several decades say Rawat thinks outside the box, takes hard decisions and is not afraid of challenging the status quo.

When Rawat took charge of the UN’s North Kivu Brigade in DRC 11 years ago, things weren’t going too well for the world’s costliest peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym MONUC. Rawat reworked the velvet-glove strategy to an iron fist within a month of his arrival in 2008, frequently authorising the use of attack helicopters to strafe positions held by rebel groups responsible for recruiting child soldiers, displacing millions of people, and civilian deaths.

Under Rawat’s leadership, the Indian brigade saved a key Congolese province from being overrun by rebels. Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, the then Force Commander of the UN mission in the Congo, wrote in the commendation awarded to Rawat that it was due to his “leadership, courage and experience” that North Kivu’s capital Goma never fell, the country’s eastern region was stabilised and the main rebel group was forced to come to the negotiating table.

“General Rawat is extremely hardworking and bold in pursuing the organisation’s objectives. He has the ability to think differently and take tough decisions without bothering about the accompanying criticism,” said Lieutenant General BS Sandhu (retd), who has known Rawat for almost 45 years and was his course mate at the Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy.

Son of a three-star general, Rawat was commissioned into the army in December 1978 after graduating from the Dehradun-based Indian Military Academy where he was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for exceptional performance. He was commissioned into the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles.

The National Democratic Alliance government superseded two top generals — Lieutenant Generals Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz — to appoint him army chief exactly three years ago on December 31, 2016. Rawat’s experience in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast tipped the scales in his favour.

“General Rawat is the rare amalgam of intellect and hard work. He is extremely upright and fair,” said Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma (retd), who was Rawat’s commanding officer in the late 1990s. Sharma, who retired as the army’s adjutant general in March 2017, was also the aide-de-camp to Rawat’s father, Lieutenant General LS Rawat, in the early 1980s.

Rawat was closely involved in the planning of the army’s surgical strikes in Myanmar in 2015 followed by targeted operations against terror pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir a year later.

In his three-year term as army chief, Rawat courted controversies on several occasions — his recent comments that were widely seen as being aimed at the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests across India; awarding d the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation card to Major Leetul Gogoi (who bound a Kashmiri civilian to the front of his jeep) and his position on the disability pension.

“He may have courted controversies a few times with his comments but he is an outstanding soldier and military leader. He is very outspoken too. If you ask him a question, he will give you an answer,” said a senior officer, asking not to be named.

General Rawat is the brain behind a mammoth restructuring drill, based on four comprehensive studies led by the army’s topmost generals, which could change the complexion and direction of the 1.2 million- strong Indian Army and transform it into a deadlier fighting machine fully prepared for future wars.

The implementation of the four studies in their totality will reduce troops (by about 100,000), allow the army to tap technological advances in warfare, create integrated brigades that can be mission-deployed swiftly, improve the army’s tooth-to-tail ratio and enhance career prospects for officer and men.

Rawat miraculously survived a chopper accident when he was the commander of the Dimapur-based Headquarters 3 Corps a few years ago.

 

[ezsasa]

IA has released an EOI for T-72, T-92 APFSDS for MII domestic private companies(only).
Quantity : 85000, 250 each for trials.
DoP : 530mm at 60 deg from 2000m

 

[ezsasa]

I wonder if IA should invest in building at least 1-2 sq km dense urban combat mockup for training now itself..

have atleast 30-50 thousand dedicated troops to handle urban combat.

Simulate and train for :
tank scenarios,
counter sniper scenarios,
riot scenarios,
counter IED scenarios,
counter VBIED scenarios,
house to house search scenarios etc etc..