BHOPAL: The armed forces should “stay ready to deal with new and emerging threats”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after reviewing the security situation along with the unresolved borders of China and Pakistan.
Addressing the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) in Bhopal, PM Modi stressed the Government is taking “all steps to equip the armed forces with necessary weapons and technologies” to tackle any challenge.
PM Modi “reviewed the operational readiness” of the Army, Navy and IAF during the three-day CCC, amid the continuing three-year-long military confrontation with China and the geopolitical churn in the wake of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A Defence Ministry official said, “PM Modi was briefed by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan about the various discussions held during the conference. He complimented the armed forces for their role in nation-building, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief help to friendly countries”.
Long-term strategy
“For laying down the ‘national security strategy’ for the long-term national and geopolitical objectives in the face of external and international threats, the armed forces are working to formulate a ‘national military strategy’ of their own,” sources said.
The CCC’s scope was expanded this year to include the conduct of “few multi-layered sessions” with participation of soldiers, airmen and sailors. Defence minister Rajnath Singh also interacted with the military brass during which inputs from field units were sought on contemporary issues.
The Combined Commanders’ Conference is a biennial event where the country’s top military brass come together to brainstorm on military matters and issues of national security. This year, the threeday conference of military commanders had the theme ‘Ready, Resurgent, Relevant’.
Spectrum of issues
During the conference, deliberations were held over a spectrum of issues pertaining to national security, including jointness and theaterisation in the armed forces. It refers to organising military forces into functional commands or theaters, each with its own geographic area of responsibility. This is done to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of military operations by enabling commanders to better focus their resources and expertise on specific regions and missions.
Preparation of the armed forces and progress in defence ecosystem towards attaining ‘Aatmanirbharta’ was also reviewed.
