New Delhi: Indian Army Chief Gen. Dhiraj Seth, a military modernisation planner who is now in charge of executing the plans, Wednesday spelt out his priority areas as he laid out his roadmap on the first day at the top post.
Underlining that the Indian Army is a combat-ready and battle-hardened force, fully prepared and capable of meeting every challenge in the operational domain, he said that to respond effectively to the evolving security environment, modernisation of the Army with renewed energy and firm resolve is the need of the hour.
“Our aim is to build a technology-enabled, future-ready Army which is fully empowered and capable of operating across multiple domains,” he said in his address to the media after being accorded the guard of honour.
Gen. Seth, an Armoured Corps officer, said he has identified his “key focus areas” which is encapsulated in the acronym ‘VIJAY’.
He said that ‘V’ stands for Vigilance, under which his tenure as Army Chief will see constant vigilance along borders and against emerging threats.
“We will also ensure a high level of operational readiness to respond effectively to any challenge to national security,” he asserted.
He said that ‘I’ stands for Innovation and Transformation and his focus will be on both doctrine and technological solutions.
“Innovation will remain an integral part of our thinking, our systems and our capability development. At the same time, necessary transformations will be undertaken in keeping with the changing character of warfare,” he explained.
As reported by ThePrint, Gen. Seth has assumed office at a critical juncture for the Indian Army. While the force has accelerated acquisition of drones and loitering munitions, besides rejig of its units under new names over the past two years—particularly after Operation Sindoor—many of its core modernisation programmes remain stuck.
Combat and support arms continue to await major upgrades in armoured platforms, artillery, air defence systems, tactical mobility vehicles and other critical equipment.
Several acquisition programmes have been delayed for years. Trials for new sniper rifles, for instance, continue without conclusion, while major procurement decisions for armoured personnel carriers and artillery gun systems like the mounted variety or advanced towed gun systems are yet to materialise.
It was expected that modernisation will be a key focus area for Gen. Seth.
At the Army Headquarters, he has held several key appointments in strategic planning and capability development, including Colonel Capability Development for Mechanised Forces, Brigadier Perspective Plans and Acquisition, and Additional Director General Capability Development. In these roles, he has played a significant part in shaping the Army’s long-term integrated perspective plans and modernisation roadmap.
Meanwhile, explaining his acronym, Gen. Seth said ‘J’ stands for Jointness and Integration.
“I fully recognise that national security is not limited to military strength alone. It requires military-civil fusion and a whole-of-nation approach. This integrated approach will also enable us to contribute meaningfully to nation building and to the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he added.
The Army Chief explained that ‘A’ stands for Atmanirbharta. With indigenous capabilities and technologies developed within the country, “we must build a self-reliant Army. The overall aim will be: to win our wars with indigenous solutions”.
And ‘Y’, he said, stands for Yodha First and everyone, from the Agniveer to the senior-most veteran, is a yodha (warrior).
Given his experience in capability development and perspective planning, expectations within the Army are that he will push for decisions on legacy programmes that have been in the procurement pipeline for years, while ensuring that newer technologies—such as drones, AI, electronic warfare and counter-UAS systems—become integral to the force, rather than niche capabilities.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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