IndiaPost.com - 'Country facing complex security challenges'

NEW DELHI: The Army has sought enhanced participation by private sector in defense production to help the process of modernization required to meet the "complex, diverse and evolving" security challenges faced by the country.

Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor said as his force remains committed to tackle insurgency, it has to be prepared for wars which are likely to be short and intense characterized by increased lethality in the nuclear backdrop.

"The nation today is faced with complex, diverse and evolving security challenges and Indian army continues to play a pivotal role in securing peace and stability," he said addressing a conference here. "The current situation of continuous commitment of Indian army in counter Insurgency situation both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East is also a reality.

Hence, he said, there was a pragmatic need to find a balance to thwart the twin threats of the conventional war with a nuclear backdrop and the Counter Insurgency situation. Appreciating the role of private sector in defense production, he said cooperation among the industry, defense public sector undertakings and the defense establishment should be enhanced.

"We do appreciate the need for Industry and military partnership in the defense sector," he said. Kapoor said the private sector could play a very important role in design and development of indigenous equipment for the military.

The Army Chief said the future paradigm of warfare would have numerous dimensions as environment would be information oriented. "Situations would call for speedy decision making and integration with other forces would be vital," he said.

"There will always be pressure to quickly resolve the crisis. There will be need for effective military response," Gen Kapoor told the conference on 'Future Infantry Soldier as a System'. Noting the important role of infantry, he said the future warfare and conflicts will pose a large number of challenges and threats to the infantry soldier.

"As the army equipment and systems are becoming more and more sophisticated and complex, the soldiers' enhanced intelligence, training skills, flexibility, and adaptability will also increasingly become important," he said. Kapoor said most armies world-over have recognized this aspect and are on to various soldier modernization programs.

"Modernization of our infantry battalion is already underway. Some new generation weapons have been already inducted into the service," he said. "The objective is to enhance the capability of the soldier in respect of lethality, survivality situational awareness and command and control," said.

Top army officials and executives from private industries participated in the conference which was jointly organized by CII and the defense ministry.