Improved combat kits, shoes for Army jawans

[Paan Singh]

New Delhi: Seeking to enhance operational capabilities of the troops, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has approved issuing of lighter and advanced combat kits for around seven lakh soldiers.

The troops will also get improved physical training (PT) shoes replacing their canvas footwear used for the purpose, Army officials said here on Friday.

Till now, the Improved Combat Kits (ICK) were being issued only to infantry personnel but after the sanction from the Army Chief, they would be provided to around seven lakh troops who are supposed to use such equipment, they said.

An ICK, which costs around Rs 5,000, is used by soldiers during operational duties which includes light pouches for carrying rifle magazines, green belt and two bags to take blankets, mosquito nets and rations which allow them to survive for two days, they said.

Along with enhancing capabilities of troops, this step would also bring in uniformity among personnel belonging to various arms including artillery, armoured, signals, engineers and service corps.

On the issue of new PT shoes for troops, they said the matter was stuck over the use of leather content but now the force will soon take a call on buying either 'Adidas-type or Reebok-type' shoes.

They said the quality of blankets issued to the troops has also been improved from the World War-II-type black blankets to new branded ones with more wool content in them.

To bring in homogeneity in uniforms of troops, the Army has also decided to issue clothing manufactured by the ordnance factories to the soldiers and pay Rs 225 to them to get it stitched as per their fitting.

"This arrangement is being tested for two years and if we find that satisfaction level among troops that their uniform has improved, it would be made permanent," they said.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Damn, Gen Bikram Singh is really making his mark. In <1 year in office he has already seemingly delivered sooooo much wrt modernisation of IA.

 

[trinity]

While Im glad for the much needed changes, its sad to know that for decades we did not address these concerns. At least we are moving in the right direction. In some ways, certain areas our military should have the ability to create compoanies that cater to their needs and churn out a profit. Maybe something to learn from China.

 

[Dandpatta]

Anyone can show the Adidas/Reebok type shoes that the IA wants its soldiers to use?

 

[Abingdonboy]

While Im glad for the much needed changes, its sad to know that for decades we did not address these concerns. At least we are moving in the right direction. In some ways, certain areas our military should have the ability to create compoanies that cater to their needs and churn out a profit. Maybe something to learn from China.

No there is no need for this, the Indian military gets its funding directly from the GoI but going down the Chinese/Pakistani route of he Military supplementing its funding from the govt with other sources of revenue is dangerous IMHO.

This is not how the INdian military operates or is structured.

 

[trinity]

No there is no need for this, the Indian military gets its funding directly from the GoI but going down the Chinese/Pakistani route of he Military supplementing its funding from the govt with other sources of revenue is dangerous IMHO.

This is not how the INdian military operates or is structured.

You say no need for this but how many decades were our soldiers training in canvas shoes? They lack there basics. Maybe t might be dangerous if such practices are adopted for everything but for essential necessities I dont; see nothing wrong with it. Indian military and structure needs to be dynamic and malleable to change whenever, wherever. The structure you mention is a problem that Western countries face but have adopted changes to faciliate needed change.

 

[Abingdonboy]

You say no need for this but how many decades were our soldiers training in canvas shoes? They lack there basics. Maybe t might be dangerous if such practices are adopted for everything but for essential necessities I dont; see nothing wrong with it. Indian military and structure needs to be dynamic and malleable to change whenever, wherever. The structure you mention is a problem that Western countries face but have adopted changes to faciliate needed change.

Well Indian military is now getting a decent budgetary allowance and it is increasing year on year. I'd say get the military to look into reducing the amount of unspent funds it has that is returned to the MoD EVERY year before it goes about setting up separate revenue streams- which it has 0 business doing.

 

[trinity]

Well Indian military is now getting a decent budgetary allowance and it is increasing year on year. I'd say get the military to look into reducing the amount of unspent funds it has that is returned to the MoD EVERY year before it goes about setting up separate revenue streams- which it has 0 business doing.

Sure unspent funds have been going on for a long time. But its high time to get our defence involved in the business side of things. In fact, it is already involved. I belive IIM Ahbedham already has a program in place to train defence personnel

The unspent funds is a good source.

 

[Mujraparty]

he army jawan's tough life will be made easier with a slew of measures that are on the anvil - from sneakers to warmer blankets and money for their uniforms.

After years of efforts, the army headquarter has finalised the move to replace the long outdated canvas shoes with modern foot wear - either a pair of Reebok or Adidas shoes.

Bids will soon be invited to supply eight lakh shoes to the army. The canvas supplied by the ordnance factories were extremely unpopular with the jawans who preferred modern sportswear even if it meant spending from their own pockets.


The army for many years has been trying to bring in sports shoes but its earlier efforts were stonewalled. Last year, it had invited bids but the tender was withdrawn following controversy over fear of cow slaughter for the army sneakers. The jawans are entitled to get two pairs of shoes each year.

The army has tried Reebok and Adidas brands in different commands to get feedback from the jawans. In four commands, the preferred choice was Reebok while two commands were in favour of Adidas. The army has decided that the new shoes will have a mixed content of mesh and leather and that it will pay between `900 and `1,100 for a pair.

Army chief general Bikram Singh has also decided to allow soldiers to carry an improved combat kit. Till now only five lakh infantry soldiers are given this kit which includes a haversack for carrying necessary items for survival in extreme locations. This means the purchase of another six to seven lakh kits each costing around `5000.

The government has also decided to give them cloths for uniforms and a tailoring allowance of `250.
Apart from these, the jawans will be provided better quality mosquito nets, blankets and rain capes. The army chief has also approved lighter and warmer blankets.

Army jawans to get better shoes and modern gear | Mail Online



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what kinda of addidas/reebok shoes can you get from 1100 rs ..?

 

[indiatester]

what kinda of addidas/reebok shoes can you get from 1100 rs ..?

Not the markup kind we find in their show rooms. They will be in the wholesale price or lower. For ex: a pair of shoes retailing @ 90$ is available for a wholesale price of ~19$