Despite enemies breathing fire, Indian Army lacks key capabilities

New Delhi, Oct 23: Often we hear authorities reiterating that India has made considerable progress in terms of militarisation. But yet when an army chief writes to the prime minister cautioning him about serious deficiencies in the operational capacities of the armed forces, the government doesn't bother to make necessary rectifications.

According to a report published in the Times of India on Wednesday, the Indian Army is still continuing with outdated air defence systems and poor night-combat capabilities despite facing regular threats from two hostile neighbours. The army also lacks the necessary weaponry for its 355 infantry battalions and the new 155mm howitzers, the report said.

The army lacks modernisation despite threats posed by two hostile neighbours

None of the major modernisation projects of the army has seen the daylight till now. General Bikram Singh, who took over as the army chief from Gen V K Singh in May last year, tried to overhaul the slow functioning of the project management authorities and ensure that things were better coordinated with the defence ministry, the report said. But the effort has not been successful so far, thanks to slow decision-making and frequent allegations of corruption and other controversies rocking the army ranks.

The army has received criticism for failing to modernise itself at par with the air force and navy in the last few years. Things are expected not to improve much ahead of the general elections due in seven months time.

OneIndia News