Balancing deployment against Pakistan & China to cater to any threats: Army chief Naravane
Defence

Balancing deployment against Pakistan & China to cater to any threats: Army chief Naravane

Army chief General M.M. Naravane said earlier the focus was only on Pakistan, but that is changing now.

   
Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane addressing the annual press conference in New Delhi

Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane addressing the annual press conference in New Delhi | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

New Delhi: The Army is “re-balancing” its deployment and strategy along the western, northern and northeastern borders to deal with any kind of threat that might emerge — be it from Pakistan or China, Gen M.M. Naravane said Saturday.

The newly appointed Army chief, an expert on China, said earlier the focus was only on Pakistan, but that is changing now.

“As far as China border is concerned, we have to balance out our requirements and deployment to cater to threats from both the West and the North. For dealing with our northern neighbour (China), we are going in for a lot of capacity building, creating roads, creating storage for munition,” he said, addressing the annual press conference ahead of the Army Day on 15 January.

He said the Army is moving “some of our most advanced weapon system” into the eastern sector. “In a way, balancing out so that we can face a threat from any side… And because of recaliberation, we are prepared for any kind of threat.”


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‘Re-balancing’

General M.M. Naravane, who has also served as the Eastern Army Commander, has been vocal about China in the past too.

“Earlier the focus was only on western front. We feel now that both western and northern front is equally important and that is why we are re-balancing,” he said addressing journalists at the Manekshaw Hall in the national capital.

He also said that India is ready to fight in a two-front war scenario. However, he added that that wouldn’t be the case when both the northern and the western borders face the same level of action.

“There will always be a primary front and a secondary front. The bulk of our resources will be there to deal with primary front. Other place is for deterrent posture so that we are not found wanting,” he said.

Naravane added that the Indian military has the resources and the ability to quickly move men and equipment from one sector to the other if need be.

“And in this manner we will be able to deal with both the fronts while ensuring that territorial integrity is not compromised,” he said.


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