‘Army is now moving forward as a future-ready force with well-trained soldiers’, said the Indian Army Chief/Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday, marking India’s 78th Army Day.
"The Indian Army is moving forward as a future-ready force, possessing well-trained soldiers, modern equipment, and multi-domain operational capabilities. Technology is being used to make the soldier even more capable. We are not just addressing current challenges but also preparing for future wars. New structures are being created in this direction, which are being equipped and trained according to future needs," he said.
Units like the Bhairav Battalion and the Shakti Baan Regiment being raised are a reflection of the creation of an agile, responsive, and mission-oriented Army, aligned with future challenges, COAS said.
Army is fully prepared —
"The Nepal Army Band reflected our strong ties, while the new units demonstrated the Army's emerging strength. The Indian Army is fully prepared at all times for any kind of attack. We are fully prepared for future warfare. We demonstrated this in the parade. Such preparations will continue to increase in the coming days," he said, adding that the Indian Army will continue to adapt itself with time and will bring about the required changes.
The display of 'Made in India' equipment in the Parade demonstrates that the foundation of transformation is self-reliance.
"The Indian Army needs equipment in the future that is designed and developed in India. Indigenisation is not just a goal; today, it has become a strategic necessity," he said.
General Dwivedi said that special emphasis is being placed on resources that are useful for both military and civilian purposes, contributing to India’s overall development.
Why the Army Day Parade held in Jaipur —
On organising the parade in Jaipur, he said Rajasthan is a land where many heroes have made history and therefore, the land was chosen for the Army Day parade.
"The Bhairav Battalion has been created to fill the gap between the Ghatak and Special Forces. New organisations have been established. More changes will also come. The battlefield is changing rapidly, and we need to move quickly to keep up. We cannot predict the future, so it is essential to adapt to changing circumstances. Whether today's war will last four days or four years will only be known on the battlefield," he said in reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Laying focus on research and development, the Indian Army Chief said, "Research and development are very important. Until India focuses on research and development, we will not be able to fight a long war and achieve complete self-reliance. Therefore, research is crucial. Keeping this in mind, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation and academia, is deliberating on how to move forward.”
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