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Ladakh stand-off, Kashmir, ammunition & training — agenda for Army commanders’ meet tomorrow

The biannual event is attended by the top Army leadership to brainstorm on new security and administrative issues, and plan a roadmap.

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New Delhi: The ongoing India-China stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the security situation in Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC) are likely to dominate the discussions at the Army Commanders’ Conference, which begins Wednesday. 

There have been tensions at the LAC for the past few weeks between the Indian and Chinese military, especially in the Galwan valley, larger Hot Springs area and around Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh, a part of which juts out like fingers.

On Tuesday, ThePrint reported that at least six rounds of talks were held at the local level (including the division level) in Ladakh to defuse the situation even as Chinese soldiers transgressed by about 3 km into Indian areas in at least four locations, with a troop build-up on the northern sector along the Chinese side of the LAC. This was apart from diplomatic and other efforts being undertaken to handle the issue.

According to sources in the Army, Kashmir is also likely to top the agenda during the meet given the slew of anti-terror operations security forces have undertaken in the Valley recently in the wake of attacks reportedly fuelled by new terrorist outfits. The summers also usually see an increase in infiltration bids at the LoC. 

The three-day biannual event is attended by the top Army leadership to brainstorm on new security and administrative issues, and plan a roadmap.

This year’s meet, which was scheduled to be held in April, was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown. It is now being held in two phases, with the second phase scheduled to take place in June.


Also read: Kashmir, retirement age & artificial intelligence to be discussed at Army Commanders’ meet


Logistics and ammunition

A special focus area of the conference is likely to be logistical issues with an emphasis on ammunition management, sources said.

This could include discussions on reducing ammunition holdings and making the supply chain more efficient. 

Other points, which are likely to be discussed, include integration of resources for ammunition, saving on storage space of ammunition, and the manpower required to guard ammunition depots.

In a recent interaction with a limited group of journalists, the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat had said ammunition would be a priority when it comes to defence acquisitions across services in the wake of the Covid-19 budget cut.

He also said there had to be a push for indigenous manufacturing of ammunition given that it is largely import-dependent at the moment. 

“If I start manufacturing ammunition in my own country, my stocking levels would come down. If we anticipate a tension, we can always tell the Indian manufacturers that you must have the capacity to surge. If there is a surge capacity with the industry, I can reduce my stocks,” he had said.

General Rawat had also said it is not a good idea to store large amounts of ammunition as they have a limited shelf life during which it has to be fired or destroyed.

He had said reducing storage will free up land and manpower, given that ammunition dumps use up vast swathes of land due to the mandatory safety distances and vacant spaces around it, and also because a lot of manpower has to be utilised for guarding them.

He had also said the manufacturing of ammunition should be divided between two or three companies so that even if a war lasts for 15 to 20 days, every day the Indian industry can supply one day’s ammunition, as against the risk of being denied stocks if one is dependent on imports.


Also read: Rs 30,000 pension soon for men who fought in 1965, 1971 wars but didn’t get absorbed in Army


Training of soldiers

The agenda for the conference is also likely to include various aspects of training of soldiers — an issue that emerged after the entire training schedule for the Army had to be reworked because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The conference will likely include discussions on merging the Directorate General of Military Training (DGMT) into the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla as both have similar functions. This is part of a greater restructuring plan of the Army headquarters.

ThePrint had earlier reported that the Indian military is actively deliberating on setting up a new joint training command to meet the training needs of all its three branches — the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

While the defence ministry had approved three major reforms for the Army headquarters last August, the restructuring plan can’t be implemented unless the overall restructuring is approved in totality, Army sources had told ThePrint.

Streamlining of various other training-related issues and human resource aspects are also likely to be part of the discussions, Army sources said.

Sources added that other aspects likely to be showcased at the event could include the Army’s efforts extended to aid civil authorities and HADR (humanitarian, assistance and disaster relief) operations undertaken from last year, such as those which came as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Army’s capability development initiatives such as procurements, infrastructure development and innovations in the field of operations, training and administration and military diplomacy efforts will also likely be showcased. 


Also read: Swift & sustained retaliation — what Indian Army is discussing at commanders’ meet


 

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15 COMMENTS

  1. Ur army ain’t able to fight but only harm innocent people of Kashmir. India is the biggest racist country in this world. U snatched away human rights from innocent people of Kashmir, also killed million of muslims in India. Shame on ur government and ur coward army. Modi is the no. 1 terrorist of the world.
    And one thing more we don’t beg but make India beg for Abhi Nandan who was captured like a bird in the cage. I feel very pity for the people of India.

  2. IAF doesn’t have any 5th Generation Fighter Jets…….like the Chinese J-20 or the SU-35s. INA doesn’t have Hypersonic Missile like the Chinese has.

    INA doesn’t have enough ammunition to sustain 2 weeks war also. Modi’s India failed.

    It’s good for India to end this by talks…..as it is in no shape to counter china.

  3. Hindu govt cruel to its Christian, Muslims, dalits, sikhs minorities on the footsteps of Hitler is taking panga with all its neighbors has obvious future.

  4. With the pandemic situation going all over the world is this the time for invasion. Has all the humanity has been lost and for wat. Everyones fighting here to live a life…cnt we just be neighbours with good intentions and help like how we do.

  5. Better sense should prevail…….Indian army is no shape to take on the Chinese military………..request for peace talks should be made !!!

  6. India lost the war aginst china in ladhak 2000km area captured by chines,72 indian solders captured but after bagging thy were released.

    • Just imagine how many times rather almost every day ur country begs for alms and survives on themIntl beggers’ federation is Pakis

  7. This the ideal opportunity for Pakistan to attack Buzdil indians .
    We see the alternate of Bollywood movies .
    Let take our Kashmiri imidiatly .

    • Keep on praying to your Allah you ignorant Muslim. Not an Inch of Kashmir will be ceded and India stands firm against China . Not like you Pakistanis that list all the wars with India and same goes with your cricket . Never known a terroist country to be debt ridden to China. One day the racist China will destroy you Muslims as they have done to ughiurs.

    • You getting all fake news .what about pakistan a breeding ground for terrorists and a beggar state asking for alms from china.

  8. Hello. I am Vandana ahuja. I am interested in defence affairs. Well indian defence forces are able to give proper answer to any challenge posed by any country. Best wishes to defence forces. God bless them all. Jai hind. I am a civilian and have many ideas for defence forces. Thanks

    • Like u replied by abhinandan and strike on pine tree .. u guys always not more then a joke and live in Bollywood ….. Think about poverty in India and drink and eat mutr and cow dung as this is cure of Corona hahhaa

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