NEW DELHI: Top Army commanders recently carried out a comprehensive review of India’s security challenges along the Pakistan and China borders and explored ways to further bolster its combat strength based on the lessons drawn from last year’s Operation Sindoor.The discussion happened during the four-day biannual Army commanders conference (April 13- 16) that also focused on operational capability requirements of the force, specifically integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS technologies.The conference, chaired by Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, was addressed by senior functionaries in the government, including cabinet secretary TV Somanathan, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and defense secretary RK Singh.Aligned with the vision of evolving into a ‘Future Ready Force’, the Indian Army has designated the year 2026 as the year of “Networking and Data Centricity”, the defense ministry said.The commanders also stressed the need to accelerate capabilities for indigenous production of military hardware and strengthen self-reliance in defense to ensure long-term strategic resilience in view of disruptions in supply chains because of geopolitical upheavals.It said the conference discussed a wide array of issues pertaining to modernisation, technology infusion in combat operations, doctrinal and training requirements besides networking and data centricity to enhance operational readiness. The commanders also deliberated on addressing emerging security challenges.
