Defense Ministry tells parliament 10 ways to improve the military, five ways to refine the air force and two ways to improve the navy
By Vikas Gupta
Defence News of India, 5 Feb 22
Ahead of Defexpo-2022 – India’s premier defense expo – to be held in Gandhinagar from March 10-13, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) is organizing a series of webinars to encourage defense contractors to participate in greater numbers.
At one such seminar hosted by industry bodies on Saturday, MoD officials and defense experts recounted a series of policy measures instituted by the MoD that have improved the “ease of doing business” in space. of the defense.
Simultaneously, the Defense Ministry’s responses to members’ questions in parliament set out ten policy reforms relating to the army alone, five to the air force and two to the navy.
indian army
The first reform relating to the army is the “preparation and implementation of priority acquisition plans to maximize capacity and development of capabilities in accordance with the evolution of threat perception”.
Second, the formation in 2018 of the Defense Planning Committee (DPC), under the aegis of the National Security Advisor (NSA), to facilitate strategic defense planning.
The third measure is the appointment of a Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS), who leads the new Department of Military Affairs (DMA) of the Ministry of Defense. This “resulted in a much greater synergy with the Ministry of Defence” and fostered cohesion within the army.
The fourth measure is long-term modernization planning. Taking into account emerging security issues, the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP), in agreement with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), implements the Integrated Capacitive Development Plan (ICDP).
The subsequent reform, which began in 2017, created the Army Design Bureau (ADB), which made major inroads in supporting R&D by reaching out to industry and academia and “ ushering in a collaborative engagement with technology providers, manufacturers and users”.
The sixth measure, the Ministry of Defense told Parliament, involves the reorganization of the supreme body of the army called the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense (Army): this has been accompanied by the creation of two Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the Army (DCOAS), one each to oversee capability. military development and subsistence needs.
The seventh measure is to increase niche capabilities in critical capability voids in space, cyber warfare and special forces (SF). In 2018-2019, the MoD created niche capability structures such as the Defense Space Agency, the Defense Cyber Agency and the Armed Forces Special Operations Division.
Then there is the delegation of “emergency supply powers” to service headquarters to meet emerging operational needs to respond to situations such as Chinese intrusions into eastern Ladakh.
The ninth reform measure is the promulgation of the Defense Acquisition Procedures (DAP) of 2020, which is an enabling document that emphasizes local production and self-reliance and streamlines capital procurement for defense. ‘army.
The tenth measure is the constitution of an “Armed Forces Technical Modernization Committee” in October 2021: to meet the long-term technological capability needs of the army, the committee will prepare a roadmap to achieve autonomy of the armed forces, with a continued focus on acquiring emerging and disruptive capabilities for the foreseeable future.
Indian Air Force (IAF)
The IAF is pursuing a modernization capability plan consistent with the roadmap defined in the “Long-Term Integrated Prospective Plan” (LTIPP). This sets a roadmap for the introduction of new platforms and weapon systems, as well as the continued upgrading of the legacy fleet.
To modernize the fighter fleet, the Rafale fighter is inducted. Additionally, the Tejas Mark 1A fighter has been contracted, with deliveries starting from January 2024.
The Ministry of Defense has clarified that the major induction into the transport fleet will be the C-295 aircraft, which will replace the old Avro airliner. Chinook and Apache helicopters were also inducted.
There are significant advances in IAF air defense capabilities. Induction of the S-400, MRSAM, VSHORADS and CIWS systems will enable a layered air defense capability. Work also began on the development of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mark II by the DRDO.
In addition, MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and Mi-17 helicopters are being upgraded gradually.
Last but not least, the IAF is moving rapidly towards network-centric operations and aims to improve Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Parliament was told that the IAF was sharpening its offensive advantage through the induction of indigenous aircraft, weapons and sensors, such as the Tejas fighter, light combat helicopter, Brahmos and surface-to-surface missile. long-range air (LR-SAM).
Finally, the IAF strengthens cooperation and joint exercises with friendly foreign countries to share best practices.
Indian Navy
Parliament has been informed that the modernization of the Indian Navy is an ongoing process aimed at enhancing India’s maritime security. It has been revealed that more than 100 contracts have been concluded since April 1, 2018, in accordance with the LTIPP.
