Interview | Chief of army staff, General M.M. Naravane PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC

In what way has the present crisis affected/ influenced army’s training programmes?

The Covid-19 pandemic threw up many challenges in the conduct of training, presenting at the same time new opportunities in emerging areas and in the virtual domain. Post March 2020, due to nationwide lockdown and impact of Covid-19, training did face challenges. However, proactive actions were initiated to minimise the risk and training was suitably restructured to insulate essential training activities from the pandemic. In doing so, it was ensured that training standards and tests were not diluted, and all mandatory activities continued with suitable precautions.

The challenge presented by the pandemic has been turned into opportunity by the army with an expanded utilisation of digital means and platforms, enhancing connectivity through secure video-conferencing facilities across military stations, and conduct of courses in online mode.

In field formations, selected training activities were shifted to e-platforms and operational discussions and sand model exercises were conducted on secure Data Network. Field firing at various ranges was calibrated and priority of units drawn up to avoid overcrowding at the ranges while maintaining optimal training standards.

Overall, the response to Covid-19 has been calibrated to reduce contact training while maintaining essential standards and shifting bulk of training online. With the commencement of the vaccinati