NEW DELHI: Faced with growing Chinese military presence along the border and other complex security challenges in the region, the government is planning to increase the strength of the Indian Army by almost one lakh soldiers over the next five years.
Authoritative sources told TOI that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved a Rs 64,000-crore (approximately $13 billion) military modernization plan that would include raising four new divisions along the India-China border. Two of these would be part of a Mountain Strike Corps dedicated to offensive operations. The plan also includes raising two independent brigades, one in Ladakh and the other in Uttarakhand.
Once cleared, this would be the biggest ever modernization and expansion package for the army. It would also be the largest increase in deployment along the China border seen since the immediate aftermath of the 1962 war.
Two weeks ago, MoD sent its plan to the finance ministry for scrutiny and approval, authoritative sources said.
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New Delhi — The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma left New Delhi on a four day official visit to Indonesia from 10th Jan 11. A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said Admiral Verma will call on the Indonesian Minister of Defence Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy Admiral Soeparno, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Political and Security Affairs Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto and the Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Forces Admiral Agus Suhartono. During his four day visit the Admiral will visit various facilities of the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force and the Admiral will be visiting Bandung and Bali in addition to Jakarta. The release further stated that the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy have a longstanding working relationship with high levels of mutual co-operation and understanding fostered through regular co-ordinated patrols and exercises such as MILAN. Consistent information sharing on matters pertaining to maritime security also contributes significantly towards the healthy relationship. [Hindustan Times] China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region appears to have injected new momentum in India’s efforts to fortify its farthest military outpost, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Read more... Plans are afoot to upgrade airstrips to support fighter operations, induct 5,000 more troops and deploy additional warships, senior officials said. |
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