Army should be ready for internal, external challenges: Bhamre

The Indian Army should be ready to handle security challenges arising from both within and outside the country, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said on Monday.

He was addressing senior army officials at the first day of the biannual Army Commanders' Conference, an official statement said.

"He (Bhamre) stressed upon the need for being prepared for highly dynamic internal and external security challenges," Indian Army spokesman, Col. Aman Anand said in the statement.

The minister complimented the Indian Army for its contributions in countering myriad security challenges and for continuous training activities undertaken including various joint trainings and exercises with friendly foreign countries, thus, paving the way for the nation's development.

"Bhamre emphasised that the government was fully seized of the requirements of the Indian Army regarding capability development, force modernisation and above all, infrastructural development," said the statement.

He reiterated the need to optimise the fiscal resources through synergised capacity building within the three services through enhanced indigenisation and self reliance.

Army chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, too, emphasised on the need to work in a collaborative manner for retaining and enhancing current levels of combat effectiveness.

He stressed upon the need to lay down priorities to ensure that the allocated resources are utilized optimally and force modernization carried out unabated.

During the conference, senior commanders will deliberate on the management of existing security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries.

Issues like infrastructure development for capacity enhancement along the northern borders, review of strategic railway lines and optimization of limited budget to ensure making-up of critical deficiency in ammunition will also be discussed.

Other points of discussion will include issues related to Border Road Organization projects, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and also matters relevant to operations, administration and welfare of troops.

--IANS

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