The Army Commanders’ Conference, which concluded in New Delhi on April 2nd, 2024, marked a significant event in the military calendar. This biannual gathering, adopting a hybrid format, commenced with a virtual session led by General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), on March 28th, 2024. It transitioned into in-person discussions on April 1st and 2nd, 2024. During these deliberations, the senior echelons of the Army engaged in extensive discussions on various security-related matters, focusing particularly on ongoing transformation initiatives, technological innovation for capability enhancement, bolstering operational readiness, and addressing emerging security and human resources concerns.
In his keynote address on April 2nd, 2024, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, reiterated the nation’s unwavering confidence in the Indian Army, recognizing its pivotal role in safeguarding national security. He lauded the Army’s exemplary efforts in border defense, counter-terrorism operations, and crisis response, urging continuous review of doctrinal, structural, and organizational reforms to confront evolving security dynamics effectively.
Furthermore, the Raksha Mantri commended the Indian Army’s strides in developing advanced technologies through collaboration with domestic industries and leading educational institutions. Emphasizing the imperative of modernization and indigenous technological advancements, he acknowledged significant progress towards realizing the vision of ‘Modernization through Indigenization’ under the guiding principle of ‘Atmanirbharta’.
Shri Rajnath Singh also reiterated the Government’s commitment to the welfare of soldiers, veterans, and their families. He stressed the importance of nurturing a skilled and motivated workforce capable of addressing contemporary combat challenges while remaining adaptable to future warfare paradigms. The release of the Indian Army UN Journal – 2024, themed ‘Resilience and Adaptability’, further underscored the occasion.
The Army’s senior leadership also received insights from General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). These leaders highlighted the significance of jointness, integration, and technological assimilation in aligning with the ‘Third Revolution in Military Affairs’, underscoring the imperative of enhanced synergy across services for optimal operational outcomes.
Throughout the conference, discussions delved into diverse aspects, including current and emerging security landscapes, contemporary issues impacting the Indian Army, and human resource considerations affecting serving personnel, their families, and veterans. The imperative to synchronize training with technological advancements to harness the innovation potential of the Indian defense industry was also emphasized. The senior leadership expressed satisfaction with the steady progress towards achieving self-reliance (‘Atmanirbharta’) in alignment with national objectives.
