New Delhi: Continuing the focus on modernisation, the Indian Army’s new chief General Upendra Dwivedi has spelt out his priorities, which largely centre on faster induction of new technology into the ranks and file of the 1.1 million-strong force.
He said the global geo-political landscape was changing rapidly and technology was evolving at a very fast pace, adding that the Army faced a unique operational challenge amid all this.
The general was referring to the fact that India has two very active borders with Pakistan and China, while being involved in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Northeast.
“To remain prepared for such threats and distinctive requirements, it is crucial that we continuously equip our soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons and technology and continue to evolve our war-fighting strategies,” he said, addressing the media on his first full day in office.
General Dwivedi has taken over as the 30th Chief of Staff of the Indian Army from General Mano Pande following his superannuation.
“The Indian Army is on the path to transformation and we aspire to be aatmanirbhar. To achieve this, we will encourage indigenous initiatives, and induct maximum war systems and equipment that are manufactured in our country,” he said.
The Army chief said it would be his endeavor to ensure that the Indian Army will always be able to operate in the full spectrum of conflict and maintain synergy with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, besides other stakeholders.
“This will ensure that India’s interests are secured and we become a major pillar of nation-building to achieve the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat-2047′,” he said.
General Dwivedi also reached out to veterans and Veer Naris (spouses of soldiers killed in action) and their families, saying this was his sacred commitment and that he would extend full support to them.
As reported by ThePrint earlier, he has distinct experience along the northern, western and eastern theatres, in varied terrain and operational environments, including deserts, high-altitude, riverine and built-up areas, the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
He commanded his battalion in counter-terrorist operations in the Kashmir valley and the Rajasthan deserts.
The Army chief has also been Inspectorate General Assam Rifles and sector commander of the Assam Rifles in intense counter-terrorism operations and held various other staff and command appointments in the Northeast, where he pioneered the first-ever compendium on Indo-Myanmar border management.
Interested in technology, he was also involved in modernising and equipping the largest command of the Indian Army, steering the induction of indigenous equipment as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Border roads organisation should be held at gunpoint to build world-class border roads.