At the five day Army Commanders Conference (ACC) beginning on Monday, the top brass will take stock of the situation along the borders, including the continuing standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, and also assess any impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on military preparedness.
“During the conference, the senior leadership of the Indian Army will review the operational situation along the active borders, assess threats in the entire spectrum of conflict and undertake analysis of capability voids to further focus on capability development and operational preparedness plans,” the Army said in a statement on Sunday.
“Discussions on aspects pertaining to infrastructure development in border areas, modernisation through indigenisation, induction of niche technology and assessment on any impact of the Russia - Ukraine war are also scheduled,” it stated.
The ACC which is held in April and October every year is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Army. This edition of the biannual conference is scheduled from April 18 to 22.
In addition, the Army said various agenda points sponsored by regional commands will be deliberated upon by the senior commanders apart from proposals concerning improving works, financial management, introducing e-vehicles, and digitisation in the Army. As part of the conference, Boards of Governors meetings of the Army Welfare Education Society and Army Group Insurance Fund will be organised, it added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address and interact with the Army Commanders on April 21.
This will be the last ACC to be chaired by Army Chief Gen Manoj Naravane who is set to retire end of this month. The Government is yet to announce the appointment of the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) following the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat in a chopper crash.
The Defence Ministry and Services have carrying out assessments and keeping close tab of the war in Ukraine and the impact the Western sanctions on Russia can have on timely supply of spares and support as well as execution of deals in the pipeline. India and Russia are also working out alternate payment methods through national currencies to circumvent sanctions and continue bilateral trade.
