New Delhi: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Mukund Naravane visited College of Defence Management (CDM) and Bison Division at Secunderabad on Wednesday. The COAS interacted with the officers at the CDM and spoke about the current security scenario and focused on the geostrategic implications on capability development and force utilisation of the Indian Army in pursuit of national interests.
During his address to the student officers and faculty of CDM, he spoke on a number of issues concerning integration, theaterisation and modernisation of the armed forces in general and the Indian Army in particular. On the government’s decision to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and create the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), he said that it was “a momentous one” and that the services needed to “demonstrate great wisdom and statesmanship in enabling the CDS, a long-standing demand of the Armed Forces".
He added that the next logical step in the process of defence reforms was the “formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to synergise the capabilities and combat potential of the three services during war and peace.” However, he advised that this process will be “deliberate, thoughtful and well-considered” and its fruition will take a “number of years.”
The COAS was optimistic about the future of integration of the armed forces, which he said was “an inevitability” as it would lead to “tri-services synergy” and optimisation of resources.
He commended the CDM for the excellent work related to the grooming of tech-adept, management savvy and strategically nimble higher leadership. He also released the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Coffee Table Book on the occasion.
The Chief of the Army Staff also visited the Bison Division where he was briefed on security and operational preparedness of the formation.
The COAS commended the formation for their high level of operational preparedness and exhorted all ranks to continue training hard with zeal and be prepared for any future operational challenges. He was appreciative of the recent flood relief operations and protection measures taken by the units in the fight against COVID-19.
Later, the COAS visited the Simulator Development Division (SDD), Secunderabad and the TATA Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) at Hyderabad, a joint venture facility of Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems established for co-production of Apache Helicopters-64. The COAS appreciated the "Make in India" initiatives and reinvigorated efforts towards indigenisation and being "Atmanirbhar" on niche technologies.
