India looking at raising 'rocket-cum-missile' force: Army chief
New Delhi (PTI): India is looking at raising a "rocket-cum-missile" force in view of the evolving regional security situation as both China and Pakistan have similar units, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday.
It is the need of the hour that "we also have such a force", he said addressing a press conference ahead of the Army Day.
Drawing lessons from Operation Sindoor, the India Army has been extensively focusing on enhancing its combat prowess including inducting large numbers of drones, missiles and air defence weapons.
At present, the missiles and rockets in Army's inventory are handled by the Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) and the Artillery regiments.
"We are looking towards a rocket-missile force. Pakistan has established a rocket force, and China has also created one," he said.
The China's PLA (People's Liberation Army) Rocket Force (PLARF) is considered to be a very potent wing of the country's military. China has been constantly enhancing the combat might of the PLARF since 2016.
In his remarks, Gen Dwivedi also noted that the Indian military has boosted its long-range strike capabilities and cited induction of BrahMos, Pralay, Pinaka and other similar missiles to augment its combat prowess.
"Rockets and missiles have become interdependent to each other in today's time. If we want a major impact, then we need both rockets as well as missiles," he said.
Gen Dwivedi said it will have to decide whether the "rocket-cum-missile" force will be part of the Army or it will be operated directly at a higher level.
"We have to decide whether it will be (operated) at the Army level or it will be directly under the Ministry of Defence or at the level of CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This is the question which we need to decide," he said.
The Army chief said initially, it will be under the Army's artillery regiments.
"It may see a different look in terms of the size, scope and the command and control in future," he said.
He also said that the Indian Army on Tuesday strongly raised with Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) about sightings of Pakistani drones along the border areas in Jammu Sector in the last three days.
Gen Dwivedi said major reform measures are underway in the Army that included restructuring of the force which is focused on reviewing the organisational structures to enhance multi-domain combat potency and achieve an optimal "teeth-to-tail" balance.
"We have adopted a spiral development approach centred on organisation rather than equipment alone," he said.
"We have re-oriented and created several new structures: Rudra Brigades for high-tempo multi-domain operations and Bhairav Battalions for agility and disruptive effect," he said.
"Similarly Shaktibaan regiments and Divyastra batteries of artillery will use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS for extended reach and real-time targeting," he said.
The Army chief said Ashni platoons and other units on the design board will enhance precision, surveillance and strike options at the tactical level.
Gen Dwivedi, highlighting the Army's focus on enhancing its combat prowess, said the focus now is to steadily progress towards a "different Indian Army -- capable of thinking smart, seeing all, striking deep, moving fast, connecting domains, standing resilient and most importantly, winning together".
"We are progressing towards integrated structures in the form of theatre commands -- a deliberate, consultative and well-synchronised process to which the Indian Army is fully committed," he said.
Gen Dwivedi said the Army is continuing to refine organisational mechanisms to adopt best practices, improve efficiency, enhance outcomes and gradually reorient manpower.
"Warfighting doctrines are being updated to fine-tune multi-domain operations -- ability to succeed in all four quadrants," he said.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
