Embrace the Change

From setting up Army Design Bureau Cells at Command Headquarters to creating a full-time organisation to act as an adversarial force for realistic wargaming and training, the Army Commanders’ Conference, which concluded in New Delhi on 2 April 2024, discussed almost everything to further the government vision of modernisation through indigenisation.

Held in a hybrid format, the biannual event commenced with a virtual session chaired by chief of army staff, General Manoj Pande on 28 March 2024. This was followed by in-person discussions on April 1 and 2. The senior leadership of the army brainstormed a wide array of security-related aspects, including ongoing transformation initiatives, leveraging technology and innovation for capability development, enhancing operational preparedness, addressing emerging security and HR-related issues.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh in his keynote address on 2 April 2024, reaffirmed the nation’s trust in the Indian Army, acknowledging its indispensable role in national security. He applauded the stellar role of the army in guarding the borders, fighting terrorism and providing aid to the civil administration during crises. The minister exhorted the army leadership to constantly review doctrinal, structural, and organisational reforms to meet future challenges in view of the evolving security dynamics. The defence minister also appreciated the efforts of Indian Army in developing niche technologies in collaboration with indigenous industries and premier educational institutions.

Singh also reaffirmed the commitment of the government to the welfare o