Army needs modern technology: Gen. Rawat

The Indian Army needs modern weapons and technology so that soldiers remain empowered, trained, and equipped in order to fight future wars, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said on Friday.

"We need modern weapons, technology. We have to look at what we require to fight the future wars. We have to get systems that are best suited for our requirements. When we talk of empowering soldiers, it is to give him technology," General Rawat said at a press conference here, and added that a soldier should have capability to carry out operations in day and night.

To this end, General Rawat said that the prime requirement of the security force is surveillance helicopters, "Our first requirement is of surveillance helicopters. We are looking at Kamov that are coming in. It is moving on track. 2019 should be the year when we should start looking at the real modernisation of helicopters."

He further informed infantry soldier on border who engage with the enemy first will get modern assault rifles, and added, "Assault Rifle which is primary weapon of Infantry soldier has got delayed due to the changed General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR)."

"For other arms and service, we are looking at indigenous weapons. We are getting UAVs for Infantry commanders to utilise in his area of three to five kilometres," General Rawat added.

The families of soldiers still spending a lot of time in difficult areas are also being looked after, General Rawat informed, and elaborated on the facilities that are to be provided to them, such as accommodation, education and the like, "4000 family accomodations have to be given in desert areas. Soon the colleges and school will have photos of the PVCs. These are the real icons, we don't have to look at Bollywood."

In addition to the fee Cap of Rs 10,000, the government has given in principle approval for two boarding schools like Sanskriti in Delhi, one in Pathankot for soldiers in Northern Borders and other could be in Central India like Bhopal, the army chief said.