MODERNISATION OF THE INDIAN ARMY

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The primary task of the Army is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation against external threats. Our military capabilities are directed towards ensuring the defence of our territory. The army has been structured, equipped and trained to fulfil its primary task and to accomplish other responsibilities assigned to it.

The current operational scenario for the Indian Army envisages a high state of operational preparedness. The ongoing proxy war has highlighted the fact that we are in a perpetual state of war. Our casualties in counter-insurgency operations almost equal those suffered in 1965 or 1971 wars. Modernisation is a sustained activity and the process of proper selection and trial of equipment has to be carried out to achieve the desired results. There have been significant additions to the Army’s inventory in fire-power, communications and surveillance equipment after the Kargil conflict. However, in the renewed focus on security, the need to enhance operational preparedness is given significant priority. The experience of redeployment of troops on the western border has re-confirmed the need to modernize in time.

Modernisation

Modernisation implies the need to have a clearly spelt out vision which should adequately be supported by a balanced force structure and matching capabilities in weapons and equipment. In order to achieve this there is a need to have adequate budgetary support matched with the desired technological base.

Procurement of new equipment takes anything from three to five years. Even under the Fast Track Procedure (FTP), it takes from six months to a year to procure equipment from abroad. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is on the job. The procurement procedure 2002 has recently been put in place. The recently-created DAC and Defence Procurement Board (DPB) will streamline the procurements to a large extent.

The Army’s planning process has come of age. A long-term perspective plan covering a 15-20 year span has been drawn up on a roll – on basis. The Army Five Year Plans flow out from this document and are co-terminus with the National Five Year Plans.

The 10th modernisation plan of the army is under preparation. The objectives and priorities of this plan are to maintain capability to deal with the entire spectrum of conflict, build strategic nuclear deterrence, capability to secure our island territories, maintain out-of-area capability and provide assistance to the UN and our own troops operating under the UN auspices in any part of the world. As a part of its modernisation drive, the Asrmy has planned to procure a large variety of equipment for all its service arms. This includes tanks, artillery guns, air defence artillery, aviation resources, communication equipment, precision-guided munitions, bridging and surveillance equipment.

With the induction of 124 fully formed imported tanks and production of 186 tanks through Semi-Knocked Down and Completely Knocked Down kits, followed by indigenous production of 1000 tanks, T-90 is expected to be the Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Army till the end of the XII Plan. The T-90 tanks have missile firing and night vision capabilities besides superior mobility, communication and firepower. An indent has also been placed for 124 MBT Arjun tanks for raising one regiment each during the X & XI Plan periods.

Modernization of the armed forces to arrest the degradation of our offensive capabilities during the last decade and a half mainly due to resource constraints has been addressed. Systematic efforts in this direction have been made with the induction of new weapons, platforms and systems which include Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile, Agni-I and Agni-II missiles, inflight refuellers and INSAS rifles.

Self-Reliance

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is dedicated to the mission of progressive enhancement of self-reliance in defence systems and state-of-the-art defence technologies. The Organisation has made great strides which have not only insulated the armed forces from the ill effects of the tightened arms export control, clamped by the advanced countries but have also progressively enhanced their combat effectiveness through induction of the state-of-the-art defence systems. DRDO has developed a large number of defence systems and equipment as per the requirements of the armed forces. We are now producing 105 mm Light Field Gun and 125 mm Fin Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS). Soft Core Ammunition for T-72 tanks, mobile system for decontaminating nuclear, biological and chemical agents and muting systems for deactivating remotely- controlled explosive device – SAFARI (Mk-1). The multi-barrel rocket system, PINAKA, an area weapon system to supplement the existing artillery, gun at ranges beyond 30 kms having quick reaction time and high rate of fire have all been accepted by the user after extensive trials.

Upgradations

The existing 130 mm field guns have been upgraded to 155 mm. A new class of weapon-locating radars was inducted along with various types of more accurate, terminally-guided ammunition and projectiles.

A major exercise was initiated to recognise the infantry battalion for optimum utilization of combatant manpower and enhancement of combat efficiency. The infantry units were provided with various advanced types of grenade and rocket launchers as well as Ground Position Receiver System.

The Army has successfully developed in-house a simulator system called ‘Drona’ for indoor and cost-effective training of soldiers for improving marksmanship on various weapons under Air Defence Artillery.

Special emphasis was laid on equipping the forces with the latest communication system for counter-insurgency operations. The equipment include radio sets with frequency-hopping and encryption facility, high frequency and very high frequency sets for the mechanized forces and infantry and wide band radio relay sets for point-to-point communication. A secure network of Very Small Aperture Terminal was commissioned for reliable and stable communication in the forward areas. The Phase-III of Army Static Communication Network was initiated which is planned to be eventually extended to Kashmir Valley and the North-East.

Production of assault bridges, hitherto imported, have been indigenised under the guidance and support of DRDO. The ‘Sarvatra’ bridge manufactured indigenously is qualitatively superior to its precursor, the imported AM-50 bridge set. To match the increasingly advanced types of improvised explosive devices (IED) employed by terrorists and anti-national elements, particularly in the insurgency-prone areas, a state-of-the-art counter-IED equipment is being procured and issued to units deployed in such areas.

Financial allocation of at least 3 per cent of the GDP is necessary to built the required force capability. The Indian Army has a manpower complement of about ten lakh and an inventory of wide range and depth, increasing its annual revenue expenditure. Our challenge is to get the balance of revenue and capital right, with the ratio revenue: capital improving from 80:20 to 70:30 and to strengthen in the 10th Plan the foundations of a modern force, with full spectrum capability in the years ahead. (PIB Features)