Army leaders meet to outline goals ahead of 2047 | Latest News India

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday chaired a meeting of his top generals to outline the army’s strategy and priorities during Amrit Kaal (the period preceding India’s independence centenary) and align the force’s goals with the government’s vision of making India a developed country and a major global player by 2047.

“The forum provided an opportunity for the Indian Army’s top brass to brainstorm on strategic issues and chart the course for the transformation of the armed forces over the next two decades,” the army said in a statement.

During the talks, which continue Tuesday, the army leadership outlined a number of broad goals to be pursued over the next decade. These include theaterization, reorganization of the army and its seven command headquarters, and the crucial redrawing of command, corps and regional headquarters boundaries.

The event came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 78th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. This year’s theme was ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’. The theme is expected to serve as a platform to give fresh impetus to the government’s efforts to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047.

“Other points of discussion during the meeting included world-class infrastructure development and enhancing multi-domain and cross-domain operational capabilities, including land, air, cyber and space,” the statement said. This is the first high-level meeting under Dwivedi since he became army chief on June 30. The generals in charge of the army’s seven commands are present.

The senior leadership held discussions to define the role of the Army in the overarching national vision and framed the Indian Army’s Vision@2047 as: “to transform into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-driven and self-reliant future-ready force, capable of deterring and winning wars in a multi-domain environment across the spectrum of operations, and safeguarding our national interests in synergy with the other services,” the statement said.

Dwivedi called upon all stakeholders to promote atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and indigenisation of weapons, equipment and platforms and support the Indian defence industry not only to develop world-class equipment but also to help the country become a leading defence exporter.

Self-reliance in the defense industry is a top priority for the government.

In his address on August 15, the Prime Minister described the progress India has made towards greater self-reliance in the crucial defence industry and how the country has gradually transformed itself from an importer of military equipment to an exporter.

The meeting also discussed conducting data-centric operations by leveraging technology to enhance the military’s existing capabilities.

“In addition, the roadmap for capability development and upgrading of mechanized forces, artillery, infantry, combat aviation and air defense was discussed along with options for improving logistics and other capabilities,” the statement said.

The Armed Forces Top brass discussed steps to improve jointness and integration within the Armed Forces, thereby strengthening joint service structures and organizations. Specific attention was paid to the establishment of joint military stations and units for logistics, communications and other essential services.

On July 2, Modi told Parliament that the creation of theatres of war to strengthen national security was on track, that the modernisation of the armed forces was in full swing and that the government was working on reforms to ensure that the military was always ready for combat.

The establishment of theatre commands is a long-term and crucial reform for the best use of the military’s resources to fight future wars. On May 10, the government announced the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, with the law aimed at promoting jointness between the three services.

Monday’s talks reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to transforming itself into a future-ready force that is capable of not only defending national interests but also making a significant contribution to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the statement said.