Army’s non-operational flab will be cut: Parrikar

[Zarvan]

NEW DELHI: The NDA government plans to slash the non-operational "flab" of the 1.18-million strong Army after a detailed review, both in terms of manpower as well as infrastructure, to ensure a cost-effective and leaner force with a better teeth-to-tail ratio.

Talking exclusively to TOI before he left for J&K and Siachen on Friday, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said there was "an urgent need for some downsizing in areas which are not of operational importance" due to budgetary constraints.

"The flab will be reviewed and removed... there is a requirement to re-think all aspects for a drawdown. The money saved can go towards the new mountain strike corps (MSC)," said Parrikar.

READ ALSO: Army making targeted kills of terrorists in J&K, Manohar Parrikar says

Manohar Parrikar visits soldiers at Siachen base camp



Though the minister did not go into specifics, the axe could for instance fall on the "sahayak" (orderly) system for officers or the practice of deploying soldiers for escort duties or to man unit-run canteens, all of which are often blatantly misused in violation of rules.

But the Army can take solace from the fact that Parrikar said he had imposed just a "temporary, not permanent, freeze" on the ongoing raising of the MSC, the 17 Corps, which the force feels is critical for acquiring the "requisite deterrence" against China along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control.

The previous UPA regime had approved the raising of the 17 Corps, with 90,274 soldiers, at a cost of Rs 64,678 crore over seven years. "I agree the MSC is a necessity. I have not cancelled it. But I have put a temporary stop to it. The previous UPA government arbitrarily approved it without any fund allocation or proper planning," said Parrikar.

"It's downsizing of the plan, not the MSC itself. The 37,000 troops already inducted need infrastructure, arms and equipment, which are currently being drawn from our reserves since the previous government made no arrangements," he said.

After the review to make the Army a leaner and meaner force, the government will reconsider the entire MSC plan. "The freeze will remain until I can make arrangements to address its needs. I will first make financial provisions and then come back for completion of the task," he added.

It was in January 2014 that the Army had kicked off the raising of the 17 Corps -- which is supposed to have its permanent headquarters in Panagarh (West Bengal) -- to build "quick-reaction ground offensive capabilities" against China.

With two new infantry divisions geared for high-altitude warfare as well as armoured, artillery, air defence, engineer brigades spread from Ladakh to Sikkim, the 17 Corps was slated to be fully in place by 2018-2019. As of now, one division and its associated units have been raised, with a couple of T-72 tank regiments also being placed in Ladakh as well as Sikkim.

Army’s non-operational flab will be cut: Parrikar - The Times of India

 

[NKVD]

NEW DELHI: The NDA government plans to slash the non-operational "flab" of the 1.18-million strong Army after a detailed review, both in terms of manpower as well as infrastructure, to ensure a cost-effective and leaner force with a better teeth-to-tail ratio.

Talking exclusively to TOI before he left for J&K and Siachen on Friday, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said there was "an urgent need for some downsizing in areas which are not of operational importance" due to budgetary constraints.

"The flab will be reviewed and removed... there is a requirement to re-think all aspects for a drawdown. The money saved can go towards the new mountain strike corps (MSC)," said Parrikar.

READ ALSO: Army making targeted kills of terrorists in J&K, Manohar Parrikar says

Manohar Parrikar visits soldiers at Siachen base camp



Though the minister did not go into specifics, the axe could for instance fall on the "sahayak" (orderly) system for officers or the practice of deploying soldiers for escort duties or to man unit-run canteens, all of which are often blatantly misused in violation of rules.

But the Army can take solace from the fact that Parrikar said he had imposed just a "temporary, not permanent, freeze" on the ongoing raising of the MSC, the 17 Corps, which the force feels is critical for acquiring the "requisite deterrence" against China along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control.

View attachment 224029

The previous UPA regime had approved the raising of the 17 Corps, with 90,274 soldiers, at a cost of Rs 64,678 crore over seven years. "I agree the MSC is a necessity. I have not cancelled it. But I have put a temporary stop to it. The previous UPA government arbitrarily approved it without any fund allocation or proper planning," said Parrikar.

"It's downsizing of the plan, not the MSC itself. The 37,000 troops already inducted need infrastructure, arms and equipment, which are currently being drawn from our reserves since the previous government made no arrangements," he said.

After the review to make the Army a leaner and meaner force, the government will reconsider the entire MSC plan. "The freeze will remain until I can make arrangements to address its needs. I will first make financial provisions and then come back for completion of the task," he added.

It was in January 2014 that the Army had kicked off the raising of the 17 Corps -- which is supposed to have its permanent headquarters in Panagarh (West Bengal) -- to build "quick-reaction ground offensive capabilities" against China.

With two new infantry divisions geared for high-altitude warfare as well as armoured, artillery, air defence, engineer brigades spread from Ladakh to Sikkim, the 17 Corps was slated to be fully in place by 2018-2019. As of now, one division and its associated units have been raised, with a couple of T-72 tank regiments also being placed in Ladakh as well as Sikkim.

Army’s non-operational flab will be cut: Parrikar - The Times of India

Good policy we already have huge paramilitary and non performing assets which draining 40% of funds

 

[Ronin]

I agree reduce numbers and improve quality

 

[Echo_419]

NEW DELHI: The NDA government plans to slash the non-operational "flab" of the 1.18-million strong Army after a detailed review, both in terms of manpower as well as infrastructure, to ensure a cost-effective and leaner force with a better teeth-to-tail ratio.

Talking exclusively to TOI before he left for J&K and Siachen on Friday, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said there was "an urgent need for some downsizing in areas which are not of operational importance" due to budgetary constraints.

"The flab will be reviewed and removed... there is a requirement to re-think all aspects for a drawdown. The money saved can go towards the new mountain strike corps (MSC)," said Parrikar.

READ ALSO: Army making targeted kills of terrorists in J&K, Manohar Parrikar says

Manohar Parrikar visits soldiers at Siachen base camp



Though the minister did not go into specifics, the axe could for instance fall on the "sahayak" (orderly) system for officers or the practice of deploying soldiers for escort duties or to man unit-run canteens, all of which are often blatantly misused in violation of rules.

But the Army can take solace from the fact that Parrikar said he had imposed just a "temporary, not permanent, freeze" on the ongoing raising of the MSC, the 17 Corps, which the force feels is critical for acquiring the "requisite deterrence" against China along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control.

View attachment 224029

The previous UPA regime had approved the raising of the 17 Corps, with 90,274 soldiers, at a cost of Rs 64,678 crore over seven years. "I agree the MSC is a necessity. I have not cancelled it. But I have put a temporary stop to it. The previous UPA government arbitrarily approved it without any fund allocation or proper planning," said Parrikar.

"It's downsizing of the plan, not the MSC itself. The 37,000 troops already inducted need infrastructure, arms and equipment, which are currently being drawn from our reserves since the previous government made no arrangements," he said.

After the review to make the Army a leaner and meaner force, the government will reconsider the entire MSC plan. "The freeze will remain until I can make arrangements to address its needs. I will first make financial provisions and then come back for completion of the task," he added.

It was in January 2014 that the Army had kicked off the raising of the 17 Corps -- which is supposed to have its permanent headquarters in Panagarh (West Bengal) -- to build "quick-reaction ground offensive capabilities" against China.

With two new infantry divisions geared for high-altitude warfare as well as armoured, artillery, air defence, engineer brigades spread from Ladakh to Sikkim, the 17 Corps was slated to be fully in place by 2018-2019. As of now, one division and its associated units have been raised, with a couple of T-72 tank regiments also being placed in Ladakh as well as Sikkim.

Army’s non-operational flab will be cut: Parrikar - The Times of India

Agreed reduce the numbers & improve the Quality

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

If India and China are coming closer and in 10 years times (as per many of esteemed indian members of pdf) they will literally be brother in arms. Why need such a large army and mountain strike corps?
Is not Indian establishment has created an imaginary threat to milk poor indian population?

 

[FunkyGen]

So when is he sending teh terrorists?

 

[45'22']

If India and China are coming closer and in 10 years times (as per many of esteemed indian members of pdf) they will literally be brother in arms. Why need such a large army and mountain strike corps?
Is not Indian establishment has created an imaginary threat to milk poor indian population?

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst

So 1 infantry division has already been raised
That's good

 

[Rajput_Pakistani]

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst

Why will China attack you, when they are literally investing billions of dollars in your Country?
They are not stupid to destroy their own market.

 

[45'22']

Why will China attack you, when they are literally investing billions of dollars in your Country?
They are not stupid to destroy their own market.

The forecast for next decade is better for India....if all goes well then we will be having a stronger economy which China might try to avoid vis a vis Pakistan......
There isn't a possibility of India China war in near future but in case it's happens which is the worst case then we can't give AP to China in a plate......there infrastructure already is in position while ours is zilch......
one mountain corps is a necessity....it's good that half the things are completed......

Why will China attack you, when they are literally investing billions of dollars in your Country?
They are not stupid to destroy their own market.

The forecast for next decade is better for India....if all goes well then we will be having a stronger economy which China might try to avoid vis a vis Pakistan......
There isn't a possibility of India China war in near future but in case it's happens which is the worst case then we can't give AP to China in a plate......there infrastructure already is in position while ours is zilch......
one mountain corps is a necessity....it's good that half the things are completed......

 

[desimorty]

Why will China attack you, when they are literally investing billions of dollars in your Country?
They are not stupid to destroy their own market.

Seriously? You think the US would be concerned about markets if China invades Japan? or even Taiwan?
China is no different. And the number of troops isn't a lot. 8 divisions currently that work from LEH to NE and each division is 30,000 so thats not a whole lot because a 2 lak h men are not always there, as they have rotational duties and insurgency, ie provide security. What Pakistan has against it, is a lot more including tanks and aircraft. These active personnel, will move to their fronts in wars, and the reserve take their position formerly held.
Internal security is the big concern, not China. If India and China were in a arms race China would win and they have already. Mojority of PLAs assets are located in mainland not any where near Tibet. They know, they can not sustain a conflict for long in Tibet near the LOC with India, thats why they support Pakistan, likewise US did the same. Neither India or China can invade each other from Tibet. Tibet is a natural buffer, however technology has brought them closer, BM and Flankers allow them to reach each others mainland so their are naturally new tensions not if old ones weren't enough but their is a unsaid understanding that the status quo is fine. However politics do change and internal politics could change the status. But for now the status quo is workable for both, hence why Xi and Modi whom are both strong leaders in their respected nations can broker a deal.

Common sense of both nations leads some facts. They trust but verify. China doesn't have a straight record with India and the CCP hasn't forgotten Indias claim on Mcmohan line and Tibet. But for both of them, they have strategically noticed that the biggest threat isn't each other but the USA.
India may do deals with America, but they are not allies. The US used Pakistan as its proxy to fight India as China did. The US is the dominate power and China and India are taking more dominance then before reducing reliance especially in the long term future on America, while Russia is declining and restructuring still. The both fear the US more than each other, and thats easily understandable since the US with out nukes or with can negate all the progress these 2 nations have made. And both these 2 civilizations do not want to be dominated by foreigners any more because History is strong in India and China.
On topic, if you notice vast mojority of military assets these 2 nations have and are trying to acquire, you'll notice its not for their immediate neighbours or each other but america. They require a minimum deterrent at least to asset their sovereignty. I don't India or China would like it if America starts a drone war in their territory.

 

[tested]

Good, the Army has resisted culling its old ways of helpers and sahayaks.

Its time the MoD forced them to change.