News Analysis India

Tag: CDS

  • National security strategy must evolve in line with changes in geopolitical order: CDS Gen Chauhan

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday said the formulation of a National Security Strategy (NSS) should reflect the changes in international geopolitics.  

    General Anil Chauhan said, “International geopolitics is in a flux and the national security strategy should aim to absorb the changes in such a way that it meets the challenges and exploits the opportunities.”

    The CDS also noted that the Armed Forces are investing in technology, which will be key as India continues the process of reorganising its war fighting structure into theatres.

    The CDS was delivering the inaugural speech at the DRDO Directors’ Conclave, an annual event of DRDO, in New Delhi on Friday. General Chauhan stressed the need to perform, reform, transform, inform and conform to meet the emerging challenges.

    India does not have a National Security Strategy, which is an all-encompassing and overarching document for a nation, providing a direction to employ various instruments of national power – diplomatic, informational, military and economic – to advance and protect its national interests from external and internal threats.

    Referring to the technology requirements emerging from theaterisation, he said superiority in technology and tactics is the need of the hour and the Indian Armed Forces are investing in new technologies to win engagements.

    Highlighting the principles of jointness, integration and theaterisation, General Anil Chauhan said in the national security realm, the concept of theaterisation is a fundamental change that is on the anvil.

    ALSO READ | Indian armed forces likely to get their first Integrated Theatre Command in August

    “It is one of the most ambitious changes with far-reaching implications attempted post-independence. The start on this journey depends on the right steps being taken first towards jointness and integration. Theaterisation involves creation of tri service theatre specific structures for effective response along the entire spectrum of conflict,” said General Anil Chauhan.

    The CDS said that integration in the physical domain aims to achieve a multiplier effect as it combines the unique capabilities of the servicesthrough integrated processes and structures to increase the war fighting capability.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, in his inaugural address, highlighted the changes occurring in the nature of warfare and criticality involved in them. He stressed on the need to reform and transform the perspectives in tandem with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of Aatmanirbharta and Make in India.

    General Chauhan released the DRDO’s second list of systems and subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture in line withAatmanirbhar Bharat. This second list of DRDO is in continuation of the list of 108 items released earlier.

    He also released the “DRDO Guidelines for Production Coordination”, which outline the mechanism for production coordination and resolution of issues associated with production of DRDO developed military equipment/platforms/systems.

    The guidelines bring out a two-tier mechanism to resolve issues related to production of these systems by involving designers, users, productionagencies, quality agencies and other stakeholders. The initiative will further pave the way for the Indian defence industry to develop defencetechnologies/systems towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    The conclave will include deliberations on various issues in line with the theme “Redefining Role of DRDO in the Wake of New Government Policies and Emerging Scenarios” through six technical sessions each followed by a panel discussion.

    The two-day conclave is organised as a follow-up to the various Chintan Shivir (brainstorming session) meetings and reviews of their outcomes by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is being attended by top officials of DRDO including Directors General of various technology as well as corporate clusters, directors of DRDO laboratories, directors of DRDO headquarters and Integrated Financial Advisors (IFAs).

    At the beginning of this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had presided over a day-long session of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It had followed separate brainstorming sessions, last month, of all the Departments of the MoD. The Department of Defence (DoD), Department of Defence Production (DDP), Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) had organised separate brainstorming sessions, during which they discussed critical issues & ways to enhance their productivity.

    NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday said the formulation of a National Security Strategy (NSS) should reflect the changes in international geopolitics.  

    General Anil Chauhan said, “International geopolitics is in a flux and the national security strategy should aim to absorb the changes in such a way that it meets the challenges and exploits the opportunities.”

    The CDS also noted that the Armed Forces are investing in technology, which will be key as India continues the process of reorganising its war fighting structure into theatres.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The CDS was delivering the inaugural speech at the DRDO Directors’ Conclave, an annual event of DRDO, in New Delhi on Friday. General Chauhan stressed the need to perform, reform, transform, inform and conform to meet the emerging challenges.

    India does not have a National Security Strategy, which is an all-encompassing and overarching document for a nation, providing a direction to employ various instruments of national power – diplomatic, informational, military and economic – to advance and protect its national interests from external and internal threats.

    Referring to the technology requirements emerging from theaterisation, he said superiority in technology and tactics is the need of the hour and the Indian Armed Forces are investing in new technologies to win engagements.

    Highlighting the principles of jointness, integration and theaterisation, General Anil Chauhan said in the national security realm, the concept of theaterisation is a fundamental change that is on the anvil.

    ALSO READ | Indian armed forces likely to get their first Integrated Theatre Command in August

    “It is one of the most ambitious changes with far-reaching implications attempted post-independence. The start on this journey depends on the right steps being taken first towards jointness and integration. Theaterisation involves creation of tri service theatre specific structures for effective response along the entire spectrum of conflict,” said General Anil Chauhan.

    The CDS said that integration in the physical domain aims to achieve a multiplier effect as it combines the unique capabilities of the services
    through integrated processes and structures to increase the war fighting capability.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, in his inaugural address, highlighted the changes occurring in the nature of warfare and criticality involved in them. He stressed on the need to reform and transform the perspectives in tandem with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of Aatmanirbharta and Make in India.

    General Chauhan released the DRDO’s second list of systems and subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture in line with
    Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This second list of DRDO is in continuation of the list of 108 items released earlier.

    He also released the “DRDO Guidelines for Production Coordination”, which outline the mechanism for production coordination and resolution of issues associated with production of DRDO developed military equipment/platforms/systems.

    The guidelines bring out a two-tier mechanism to resolve issues related to production of these systems by involving designers, users, production
    agencies, quality agencies and other stakeholders. The initiative will further pave the way for the Indian defence industry to develop defence
    technologies/systems towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    The conclave will include deliberations on various issues in line with the theme “Redefining Role of DRDO in the Wake of New Government Policies and Emerging Scenarios” through six technical sessions each followed by a panel discussion.

    The two-day conclave is organised as a follow-up to the various Chintan Shivir (brainstorming session) meetings and reviews of their outcomes by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is being attended by top officials of DRDO including Directors General of various technology as well as corporate clusters, directors of DRDO laboratories, directors of DRDO headquarters and Integrated Financial Advisors (IFAs).

    At the beginning of this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had presided over a day-long session of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It had followed separate brainstorming sessions, last month, of all the Departments of the MoD. The Department of Defence (DoD), Department of Defence Production (DDP), Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) had organised separate brainstorming sessions, during which they discussed critical issues & ways to enhance their productivity.

  • Army ‘quick gun’ units slow on the draw

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Indian Army’s bid to introduce the biggest change in combat formations on the ground with the creation of a lean set-up of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) – which will have the capability to hit the enemy fast and hard – is facing inertia and the whole process has got delayed. Army sources confirmed the process has been delayed and it will take more time as the scheduled meetings are not taking place after the death of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

    These battle groups might be raised close to the formation of the theatre commands, the sources said. The plan was to raise at least two IBGs by the end of 2021. Earlier, meetings led by the Army’s Military Operations wing had taken place to complete the process.

    This newspaper had earlier reported that the differences between Army, Navy and Air Force and the death of CDS Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash in December last year have prolonged the theaterisation exercise. The formation of theatre commands is aimed to integrate the entire Indian military to fight future wars jointly under one theatre commander.

    The IBGs will be self-contained fighting formations with the elements of every arm and service mixed together as per the terrain and operational requirements. In case of hostilities, they can swiftly strike against the enemies. Each IBG will be tailor-made and will be based on the three Ts – threat, terrain, and task.

    The forces reassigned and reconstituted as the IBGs would be smaller but swifter with greater combat thrust. They will be bigger than a brigade (3,000-3,500) but smaller than a division (10,000-12,000). In the first go, of the two IBGs planned, one is coming up under the 9 Corps mandated to operate on the western borders with Pakistan. The other one is being raised under the 17 Corps raised as the sole strike Corps to operate along the northern borders with China.

    More formations will be approved once the first set is raised as the ambition is to do away with the Division Headquarters which function under the Corps and remove one complete layer from the organisational setup.

    Work on the formation of the IBGs in the started after major deliberations and initiation of the biggest restructuring of its headquarters. Four studies on various aspects were initiated in mid-2018 which were finalised by December end.

    Boost to battle power

    Each Integrated Battle Group will have troop strength of around 5,000, bigger than a Brigade (3000-3,500) but smaller than a Division (10,000-12,000)

    These will have a mix of every arm and service like Infantry, Artillery, Armoured Corps, Engineers Corps, Signals, Air Defence and others

  • ‘Process to select next CDS has begun, name to be announced soon’

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the government is proceeding with the exercise to find the successor of the deceased Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.

    “The process to select the next CDS has begun and the name will be announced soon.” Singh added. The Defence Minister said this while talking to the media on the sidelines of Awards ceremony for Excellence 2021 on the occasion of 96th Raising Day of Directorate General Defence Estates.

    The post of the senior most uniformed officer of the country fell vacant due to the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat in a IAF chopper crash on December 8 in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. While, of the 10 passengers and four crew members 13 had died on the day of accident Group Captain Varun Singh succumbed to his injuries on December 15 in Command Hospital Bengaluru.

    As first reported by The New Indian Express, General MM Naravane has been entrusted with the charge of Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. With the creation of the CDS, the incumbent will become the permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee.

    ALSO READ | Retired officers can enter CDS race? Bipin Rawat’s successor race to be expedited

    The post of CDS is important as it was created after a long wait in December 2019 and as the first CDS, General Rawat had initiated major reforms and reorganisation of higher defence management of the country.

    Of the many duties and functions of the CDS, a few are — to head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence and function as its secretary, to act as the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all Tri-Service matters.

    Sources informed that Lt Gen Anil Puri, Additional Secretary in DMA is handling the officiating charge of the Secretary DMA and the current CISC, who is designated Deputy CDS under the CDS, Air Marshal BR Krishna is functioning as the Deputy CDS and will be reporting to General Naravane.

    General Rawat had initiated restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/theatre commands.

    DMA is the fifth Department of the Ministry of Defence. The other four departments are the Department of Defence, Defence Production, Ex Servicemen Welfare, Defence Research and Development Organisation.

  • Mood Sombre in CDS Bipin Rawat’s native village in Uttarakhand

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Bharat Singh Rawat, a distant relative of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Singh Rawat, recalls the day when people of the Saina village celebrated the latter’s elevation as CDS after he retired as the Army chief, on January 1, 2020. 

    As the news of the demise of General Rawat demise, his wife and 11 others reached the village, an air of gloom engulfed the village. 

    Bharat Singh Rawat (62), a distant uncle of the CDS, said, “This is shocking for all of us. He was not only our pride but the pride of the nation too. Cruel fate has halted his glorious journey. Many still don’t believe this tragic news.”

    Saina village, the native village of General Rawat, is approximately 80 km from Kotdwar, the district headquarters of Pauri district. The village is now mourning with no cooking for Wednesday. The villagers will also stop the consumption of certain delicacies including the use of oil and salt as part of the mourning rituals. 

    The CDS had visited his native village after taking over as chief of Army Staff in the year 2016 and also in May 2018.

    “He told me during his May 2018 visit that he wanted to build a house near mine. He had to walk for over a km to get here and told me that he would request the government to build a motorable road connecting the village,” recalled Singh, who has served the Army in the capacity of havildar. 

    ALSO READ | Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, 12 others confirmed dead in TN chopper crash

    General Rawat had written to the state government earlier regarding the construction of a road as one has to walk for over one kilometre from the main road to reach Saina.

    According to the 2011 census, the village has two households and five people. Among them, three are male and two female. Interestingly, there are no children in the village which is part of the Birmoli Gram Sabha in the Pauri district.

    Mansi Devi, the Gram Pradhan, said, “We looked up to him as an eternal source of inspiration. For us, he was a father figure, a strong man who lives by ideals and inspires others to do well in life as well as contribute to nation-building.”

    As the news of the Mi-17 chopper crash came, the residents of the hamlet and the nearby villages started praying. 

    General Rawat during a visit to his native village (Photo | EPS)

    Meanwhile, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and people from all corners of the state had expressed their wishes and offered prayers for his well being along with others. 

    Later, as the news of demise came in, the mood in the state became sombre across the state. Condolences started pouring in.

    CM Dhami, Governor Lieutenant (Retd) General Gurmit Singh along with many others took it to Twitter and other social media platforms to express their condolences. 

    “Son of the Soil…From Pauri Uttarakhand… General & Mrs Madhulika had graced Uttarakhand Sthapana Divas on 9th November 2021at Dehradun, just recently… Remembered beautiful moments of our professional life…Rest in Eternal Peace…Waheguru, Our Prayers…,” the Governor Tweeted. 

    “It is deeply painful for all of us to learn about the unfortunate demise of the honorable CDS General Bipin Rawat. He devoted his life to the nation. I express my condolences to his family and the whole nation,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. 

  • India’s armed forces are ready to deal with any security challenge: CDS Bipin Rawat

    Gen Bipin Rawat said India is a peace-loving nation but it had to train its forces for war considering the kind of challenges it has been facing.

  • Public spat as CDS calls Air Force a support arm, Air Chief says it is not

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Differences over the proposed integrated command system of defence forces came out in public view on Friday when Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat termed the Air Force just a supporting arm, while Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria said “it is not”. 

    Speaking at a defence summit on Friday, Gen Rawat said the “Air force is required to provide support to the ground forces. Do not forget, Air Force continues to remain a supporting arm to the armed forces just as the Artillery or Engineers support the Combatant Arms in the Army…. They have an adequate charter of supporting the ground forces in times of war,” the CDS added.

    Later, speaking at the same event, the Air Chief said, “Air power has a huge role to play in any of the integrated battle areas and it is not an issue of support alone.”Calling the formation of the theatre commands much more complex the Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said, “Air force is for the formation of theatre commands. But the issues we have raised is about how we should do it. It is the most important reform that has an impact on warfighting.”

    When asked about the charter of the Indian Air Force, Bhadauria said, “Every service has its own doctrine, the best knowledge of how to employ the capabilities and capacities to get the best results.”The 1.4 million Indian Armed Forces, Army, Navy and Air Force function to secure and defend the nation under 17 functional commands.

    The  formation of the Chief of Defence Staff in December 2019 was to integrate and synergise the armed forces to prepare them to meet the requirements of modern warfare. Theaterisation is one of the charters of the CDS. There are plans are to integrate the forces into five theatre commands – Air Defence, Maritime Theatre, Eastern Theatre, Western Theatre and Northern Theatre. 

  • China capable of launching cyber attacks on India; focusing on cyber defence: CDS Bipin Rawat

    Gen Rawat said that a quot;capability differential quot; has come between the two countries over the years and that China has a quot;lead quot; over India on technology.

  • CDS General Bipin Rawat to fly in a French Rafale fighter

    By ANI
    JODHPUR: In the ongoing Indo-French wargames Desert Knight-21, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat will undertake a sortie in the French Rafale fighters on Thursday.

    “The CDS would be briefed about the wargames and how the joint exercise would be enhancing interoperability between the air forces of the two countries,” Indian Air Force officials told ANI.

    Apart from the operational briefing, the CDS would be undertaking a sortie in the French Air Force Rafale fighter for almost one hour and would be familiarised with the most advanced fighter in the Indian and the French Air Force inventories.

    The Indian Air Force kickstarted the first major international wargames involving its Rafale fighter jets in Jodhpur on Wednesday with their French counterparts.

    As part of the first edition of the exercise Desert Knight-21, four French Rafale fighters landed in Jodhpur after flying directly for around four hours from the Djibouti airbase using their A-330 multirole tanker transport aircraft which also landed here.

    Exercise Desert Knight-21, is being at Jodhpur Air Force Station from January 20 to January 24 this year.

    The French are participating with Rafale, Airbus A-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), A-400M Tactical Transport aircraft and approximately 175 personnel.

    The Indian Air Force aircraft participating in the exercise include Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, Rafale, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft, Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) and AEW&C aircraft.

    The exercise marks an important milestone in the series of engagements between the two air forces.

    As part of Indo-French defence cooperation, the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force held six editions of air exercises named ‘Garuda’ — the latest being in 2019 at Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan in France.

    As measures to further the existing cooperation, the two forces have been gainfully utilising available opportunities to conduct ‘hop-exercises’.

    The French Air and Space Force deployment, while ferrying to Australia for Ex Pitchblack in 2018, was hosted by the IAF at the air force stations in Agra and Gwalior for exercise with fighters and MRTT aircraft.

    Currently, the French detachment for Ex Desert Knight-21 is deployed in Asia as part of their ‘Skyros Deployment’ and has ferried in forces to Air Force Station Jodhpur.

  • CDS, Army Chief pay tributes at National War Memorial

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane paid tributes at the National War Memorial on Infantry Day on Tuesday.

    Infantry Day is observed as a remembrance of the first military event of independent India, when the Indian Army repelled the first attack on Indian soil on October 27, 1947, in the Kashmir valley. The victory was accomplished by the personnel of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment.