Time for improving Indias military capabilities, says General Deepak Kapoor

Indian Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor today said that defence and military capabilities of the countrys armed forces have to be enhanced as the country is emerging as a global power.

By Sudhakar Jagdish

New Delhi, Oct 27 : Indian Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor today said that defence and military capabilities of the country's armed forces have to be enhanced as the country is emerging as a global power.

Speaking at his first formal media inter-action after taking over as the Chief of the Army Staff, the four-star General said that modernisation of the army remains his top- most priority.

This would include induction of modern weapon systems, enhancement of electronic and network-centric warfare capability, ability to fight in the dark with improved night vision devices and increasing the air-assets of the Army. He wanted the Army to improve its operational capabilities and add to its ground and space assets.

He said that when a country moves in the path of becoming a regional and subsequently a global power, it has to face many new challenges and competition from others, and the country's armed forces should be prepared to counter threats posed at it.

His interaction with media comes on the concluding day of the Commanders' Conference where the army took a holistic review of the present situation and discussed at great length the measures to equip itself to face nuclear and biological warfare.

During the four-day long conference, the Indian Army unveiled its ambitious Space Vision 2020, which is part of the armed forces' plan to use space at tactical, operational and strategic levels.

General Kapoor today also said that enhancing the army's image, which has been hurt by the recent increase in the number of suicides, fragging and corruption cases, will be one his top priorities.

He said that different measures have been adopted, like counselling and induction of additional psychiatrists to minimize the occurrence of suicide and fragging incidents.

Refuting any 'differences in opinion' over the army's quest for air assets with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the General said that he would work towards improving the joint functioning with the sister forces- IAF and the Indian Navy.

"Jointness (of armed forces) is the future," the General said, adding that structures have to be put in place for it.

General Deepak Kapoor took over as the Chief of Army on October 1 from his predecessor General J J Singh.

ANI