Army chief General Manoj Pande on Wednesday said that emergency procurement powers given by the government has helped the force to modernise itself.
Speaking at the Seminar titled "Year of Technology Absorption - Empowering the Soldier," held at the Manekshaw Centre by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, General Manoj Pande highlighted the impact of these procurement powers.
"The emergency procurement powers, provided by the government in four tranches, have facilitated our modernization endeavors, with contracts totaling Rs. 18,000 crore signed under this provision. The equipment procured through these contracts is now actively deployed on the border," said General Manoj Pande during the seminar organized by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).
He said that given the impact of technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber, big data analytics and electronic warfare, the salience of the cognitive domain, is increasing manifold in the restructuring and reorganisation of the force.
In terms of procurement priorities aimed at enhancing mobility and protection, General Pande outlined acquisitions that include light strike vehicles, light specialist vehicles, and bulletproof jackets.
"Our procurement portfolio encompasses swarm drones, loiter munitions, and advanced artillery platforms like the 155 mm MGS, TGS, K9 Vajra, and ATAGS, all geared towards bolstering target acquisition and precision fires," he said.
General Manoj Pande also highlighted the Indian Army's focus on indigenous procurement, specifically mentioning light vehicles and bulletproof jackets. "We are augmenting the night fighting capabilities of our troops through the adoption of night vision devices, while simultaneously improving communication systems," he added.
Earlier, on April 23, General Pande delivered the keynote address at AIMA's 9th National Leadership Conclave on 'Hard Power - Modernizing Forces through Self-reliance'.
During the conclave, the COAS shed light on the transformative initiatives underway within the Indian Army, aimed at building a self-reliant, technologically enabled, and future-ready force.
These initiatives, he said, align with the aspirations, goals, and objectives of a burgeoning India.
Follow us
