We are facing challenges, need to improve infrastructure, modernize army: Army chief

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Tuesday said that the army is facing several challenges and added that there is a need to modernize the army and enhance its capabilities.

"We are facing challenges and there is a need to modernize our army as well as enhance our capabilities. On taking over about six months back, I had led down by vision as well as trust areas," said army chief.

"Our focus today are the northern borders, because there is a large capability gap that exists in the infrastructure. Ranging of the strike corps is progressing as per the time lines. With its ranging, there will be a significant enhancement in our capability," he added.

He also said that as far as modernization is concerned, there are large number of projects, more than 100.

"We have identified 20 important ones and in those 20 we have identified seven critical ones. These have been progressed on fast- track. Considerate effort is also being made to make up the deficiency in regard of weapons and ammunitions," he said.

The army chief further said human resource is his priority area.

"That is one of my key thrust areas because human resource is one of our most vital assets. Therefore, the living conditions of soldiers are very important and dear to my heart. We are moving towards that," said the army chief.

"As far as married accommodation is concerned, phase one of the married accommodation project is almost 98 percent complete. The phase two has picked up by 30 percent approximately and phase three- we have already started the process of planning. Total 70,000 dwelling units have been planned in these areas," he added.

The army chief also emphasized on the need of empowerment of soldiers.

"Empowerment of our soldiers is also very important, improvement of their health facilities and education of their children. For that, we have a proposal and has been discussed with the Defence Minister," he added.