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http://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...rvices-Parrikar/2016/05/27/article3452774.ece
Speaking exclusively to Express, Parrikar said that the government was fully committed to making this a reality to inject much-needed synergy into military planning, operations and procurements as well.
Creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the top military man, was recommended by a Group of Ministers in 2001, soon after the Kargil conflict and the issue was mentioned in the BJP’s manifesto for the 2014 general elections.
“The decision could happen within the year. The issue is connected to taking a call on improving the tooth to tail ratio as well as on jointness in the armed forces,” said Parrikar.
“We have formed a committee under Gen Shekatkar (retd) that has to give a detailed report in 90 days. After that we will take a decision as they have an impact on each other,” the Minister explained. The 11-member committee led by Shekatkar has three months to chalk out an action plan and recommend how to “re-balance” overall defence expenditure in view of the escalating salary and pension bills.
Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post would be the first major military reform by the Modi government after resolving the four-decade-old One Rank One Pension issue.
A new defence procurement procedure has also been released. Though India has a tri-service command, it is headed by a three-star officer junior to the military chiefs who are four-star.
The post of the Chief of Defence Staff is likely to be of a four-star who would be in-charge of the tri-services command at Andaman and Nicobar islands, the strategic command in-charge of nuclear weapons along with the upcoming cyber and space command. When asked about artillery guns for army, which have not been procured for the last three decades due to Bofors scandal, Parrikar said the indigenously built 155mm artillery gun, Dhanush was in its last stage of induction into the army.
“At present induction trials are on for the Dhanush gun and six guns are being seen. The Dhanush shall in all probability be inducted in the current financial year. If you ask me, technically, they are already inducted as they are undergoing induction trials,” he said. And on the much-hyped Rafale fighter jet deal, Parrikar said his ministry was looking to conclude it in the next month.
“You just wait. I can’t tell the exact time for its conclusion, but there is no reason why it should not be inked in June as negotiations are in the last and final phase,” he said.
Speaking exclusively to Express, Parrikar said that the government was fully committed to making this a reality to inject much-needed synergy into military planning, operations and procurements as well.
Creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the top military man, was recommended by a Group of Ministers in 2001, soon after the Kargil conflict and the issue was mentioned in the BJP’s manifesto for the 2014 general elections.
“The decision could happen within the year. The issue is connected to taking a call on improving the tooth to tail ratio as well as on jointness in the armed forces,” said Parrikar.
“We have formed a committee under Gen Shekatkar (retd) that has to give a detailed report in 90 days. After that we will take a decision as they have an impact on each other,” the Minister explained. The 11-member committee led by Shekatkar has three months to chalk out an action plan and recommend how to “re-balance” overall defence expenditure in view of the escalating salary and pension bills.
Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post would be the first major military reform by the Modi government after resolving the four-decade-old One Rank One Pension issue.
A new defence procurement procedure has also been released. Though India has a tri-service command, it is headed by a three-star officer junior to the military chiefs who are four-star.
The post of the Chief of Defence Staff is likely to be of a four-star who would be in-charge of the tri-services command at Andaman and Nicobar islands, the strategic command in-charge of nuclear weapons along with the upcoming cyber and space command. When asked about artillery guns for army, which have not been procured for the last three decades due to Bofors scandal, Parrikar said the indigenously built 155mm artillery gun, Dhanush was in its last stage of induction into the army.
“At present induction trials are on for the Dhanush gun and six guns are being seen. The Dhanush shall in all probability be inducted in the current financial year. If you ask me, technically, they are already inducted as they are undergoing induction trials,” he said. And on the much-hyped Rafale fighter jet deal, Parrikar said his ministry was looking to conclude it in the next month.
“You just wait. I can’t tell the exact time for its conclusion, but there is no reason why it should not be inked in June as negotiations are in the last and final phase,” he said.
