Internal health, modernisation top new Army Chief's priorities

Friday 02 April, 2010.
Gen V K Singh on Thursday took over as Chief of Army Staff with an assertion that eradication of corruption from the force and improving its "internal health" would be his top priorities along with modernisation and filling of "gaps in operational readiness".

The 59-year-old commando, who has a vast experience in counter-insurgency and high altitude operations, said the army would be unable to meet external threats effectively till its internal health is not good.

"Internal health is very important," said Singh, conscious of the damage caused by the recent Sukna land scam case in which a Court of Inquiry convened by him had indicted three Lt Generals and one Major General.

"For any organisation to do well, it must ensure the internal health is good. To that extent, that's why I said that our core values, our ethos, tradition will receive due attention," he told reporters a day after becoming the chief of the world's second largest army.

Singh was responding when asked about the Sukna land scam in which he, in the capacity of GoC-in-C Eastern Command, had recommended action against the four Generals.

Among those indicted by the CoI was Lt Gen (retd) Avadesh Prakash, the Military Secretary to the then Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor.

"Till the time our internal health is not good, we would not be able to fight the external threats. So, we will focus attention on improving internal health. Internal audit is necessary. It will matter a lot to me," said Singh.

Asked to elaborate as to what he meant by the "internal health", he identified core values, selflessness, credentials, norms and professionalism of the Army and the strengthening of these.

He, however, refused to term it as "a crackdown on corruption", saying such terms "will never take us any far."

While talking about fighting the war within, Singh also referred to the capacity building and modernisation of Chinese military and said the Army would "stand up and measure up to the challenge".

In this context, he said he would focus on modernisation and "filling the gaps in the operational readiness" of the Army to make it "more lethal, agile and responsive."

"My two focus areas would be to remove hollowness and deficiencies in terms of authorised and existing strength in various combat units for better operational preparedness and to become battle worthy," the new Army Chief said.

He said he would ensure faster procurement by removing procedural delays and improving work culture to do it faster.

The Army has already carried out a study on this, discussed it and had prepared a package for implementation, Singh said, adding "Some of the package plans will start now and some will start later."

Underlining that "A man, who goes to fight, must have everything that he needs", he listed artillery modernisation, recce, surveillance, target acquisition and future infantry soldier as "shortfalls" that would be on his priority list.

Refusing to call these acquisition plans as "big ticket items", Singh said these were "necessities".

Asked how the Indian Army measured up vis-a-vis the Chinese Rapid Action Force, Singh said: "I can assure you that for any challenges that are against us, we are very well prepared."

When referred to the Chinese military build-up in Tibet, the Army Chief said it was wrong to interpret it as an India-specific modernisation as China was undertaking overall improvement of capacity of its armed to enable it to fight in a digitised battlefield.

"This is what we are also looking at, ensuring that we are a networked force capable of working in an integrated joint environment," he added.

Singh said China was developing the infrastructure in Tibet which will add to its military capability too.

"Military capability becomes easier on their side as it is a plataeu with better roads and other infrastructure. On our side, due to the mountainous terrain, the infrastructure is slightly behind. But it is receiving due attention," he said.

He added that better infrastructure would help the locals too in the border states in the East and also had a military connotation, which was useful. (DD-1.4)

Army will stand up to any challenge India will face: V K Singh

Concurring with the concerns expressed by Defence Ministry over Chinese military modernisation plans, new Army Chief Gen V K Singh said the forces would stand up and measure up to any challenge that the nation faced.

"The concern expressed is correct. Through you, I would like to pass it on to our countrymen that our army and it is their army will stand up to and measure up to any challenge that the nation will face," he told reporters in New Delhi before assuming office on Thursday.

He said the government had provided an increase in the allocation for the Army in this year's budget and "our effort would be to utilise it to be well prepared."

Asked how the Indian Army measured up vis-a-vis the Chinese Rapid Action Force, Singh said "I can assure you that for any challenges that are against us, we are very well prepared."

He noted that preparation was an ongoing process and that the Army would ensure its training methodologies became more practical keeping all challenges in mind.

The Defence Ministry has, in its annual report for 2009-10, said it was "conscious and alert" about China's military modernisation and infrastructure development in Tibet and adjoining areas.

The report said the Ministry has taken "necessary steps" to restructure its force levels along the border.

Earlier, Singh took the salute from 2 Rajput Regiment, the battalion he had commanded as a Colonel. (NZ-01/04)
DD News: Internal health, modernisation top new Army Chief's priorities
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Ill- health and sagging morale of Veterans too constitute to the overall Health of the Armed Forces. Justified OROP and right to work denied for decades makes them beggars sans honour and dignity. ECHS with its teething problems and lack of finances makes Veterans rot like vegetables in their twilight years!