National Military Strategy: Indian Armed Forces To Go Ahead Alone, In Absence Of Wider National Security Objectives

The Indian Armed Forces are working on formulating a “National Military Strategy” for laying down long-term national and geopolitical objectives, reported the Times of India.

The chiefs of all three forces along with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, will discuss this strategy on the sidelines of the Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) that started on Thursday (30 March), in Bhopal.

The CCC is a biennial event with the last event happening at Kevadia, Gujarat in 2021. The theme of this year's conference will be “Ready, Resurgent, Relevant”.

The conference and the National Military Strategy is coming against the backdrop of the ongoing three-year standoff between India and China on the LAC and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The conference will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

On the last day, (1 April), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will also address the CCC and is expected to spell out the ‘National Security Directives’ for the three forces.

According to the TOI report, the National Military Strategy will be laid down in the absence of a wider ‘National Security Strategy’.

The ICADS will allow the formulation of a 10-year Integrated Capability Development Plan, a 5-year Defence Acquisition Plan and a two-year roll on Annual Acquisition Plan.

These ten-, five- and two year-plans will smoothen the armed forces' capital procurement plan and prevent any wastage of funds on duplication of capability, like the Army and the Air Force's separate purchase of the same American-made AH-64E Apaches attack helicopters.

The government's main focus in CCC will be on Atmanirbharta in Defence production, especially in light of the sanctions faced by the Russians due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

In addition, reforming the Defence Public Sector Units (PSUs) and encouraging private sector participation will also be a part of the discussion.

“Reforms in DRDO and Defence PSUs, as also the need to involve the private sector in a much bigger way are on the agenda,” the report quoted an official as saying.

Additionally, the problem of payments to Russian suppliers will also be on the agenda for discussions.