"We are Currently Pursuing the Decade of Transformation"

In an interview with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP's Land Forces, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi explains how the Indian Army is aiming to transform into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology enabled and self-reliant future ready force

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SP's Land Forces (SP's): As COAS of one of the most engaged, busiest and most professional armies in the world, what are the 'Thrust Areas' of Indian Army that you are focusing upon? Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): The vision of the Indian Army is a contribution of my predecessors and, as a concept I wish to carry forward, 50 percent of what I have received, lay down 30 percent new ideas for execution/implementation, and sow 20 percent new ideas for Gen next.

As the Chief of the Army Staff, the mission statement that I have defined for myself is to ensure full spectrum operational preparedness while concurrently transforming the Indian Army into a modern, agile, adaptive, tech-enabled and Atmanirbhar future-ready force which is capable to deter and win wars in a multidomain environment. It will always remain a relevant and key pillar of National Security Apparatus, aligned towards protecting National Interests and effectively contribute towards nation-building in synergy with all agencies of the Government and sister services.

My thrust areas include maintaining full-spectrum operational preparedness by ensuring complete vigilance on the LAC and Line of Control as well hinterland in Jammu & Kashmir and North East. We are also focussing on leveraging digitised tools through our initiative of technology absorption for decision-making, and securing dominance in emerging grey zone and cognitive domains. We are currently pursuing the Decade of Transformation besides converging multi-domain capacities in synergy with all government agencies.

Indian Army will seek avenues and bring together our capacities to support nationbuilding initiatives. Our endeavour will be to forge Military Leaders of character & outcome-oriented professionals. We will foster an organisational climate underpinned by ‘ethical values’, ‘professional focus’, ‘teamwork’, ‘positivity’ and ‘ably led’, at all echelons.