Defence Minister Antony's top 5 issues concerning the Indian military. What would be yours? - Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.

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Tuesday 14 August 2012

Defence Minister Antony's top 5 issues concerning the Indian military. What would be yours?



Going by the sequence in which Defence Minister AK Antony raised issues in his Independence Day address to the armed forces today, corruption within the military is its biggest threat… followed by the need to protect human rights during counter-terrorism operations. Equipment modernization came in fifth place.

Here is the order in which Antony raised issues in his speech:

No.1 :  Corruption

No.2 :  Protecting human rights during counter-terrorism ops

No.3 :  Border and coastal security

No.4 :  Welfare of serving and retired soldiers

No.5 :  Equipment modernization

For those who are interested in his exact words, here they are:

No.1 :  Corruption

Corruption is today a serious challenge facing our nation - and our Armed Forces are no exception to the rule. Corruption not only badly affects the morale of the personnel, but also has many other implications. I appeal to each one of you to renew the pledge to work with all the honesty, fairness and transparency at your command in your day-to-day work. Our Armed Forces have been renowned for their hard work, determination, efficiency and discipline. It is our individual duty and collective responsibility to ensure that the excellent work done by our Armed Forces in general, is not undone at any cost.

No.2 :  Terrorism and human rights

Terrorism still continues to be one of the major challenges our nation faces. You are faced with challenges on this front day in and day out. However, while being vigilant on the one hand, you must exercise utmost restraint and discipline, on the other hand. There must not be even a single case of human rights violations anywhere. Such violations undo at one stroke, all the good work and tarnish the image of our Armed Forces.

No.3 :  Border and coastal security

Our focus is on strengthening our land, air borders, as well as the sea-lanes so that our Armed Forces are always well prepared to meet any kind of eventuality, or challenge. We have laid maximum emphasis on strengthening coastal security. We have taken steps to expedite the Coastal Radar Network on both, the eastern and the western coast.

No.4 :  Welfare of serving and retired soldiers

Dear jawans, your all-round welfare is always uppermost in our minds. Our Government has been making all-out efforts to improve your living and working conditions. We have taken several steps to further improve the quality of rations, accommodation and clothing. Our scientists have developed a nutritious, ready-to-eat diet called "AAHAR". This will go a long way in meeting requirements of fresh food of all you jawans.

In our ongoing efforts to improve the well-being of jawans, our Government has further widened the scope of ECHS and established more polyclinics and regional health centres. We have also taken up special measures to accelerate the Married Accommodation Project (MAP). Under the project, a total of nearly two lakh dwelling units are being constructed in four phases at an estimated cost of over Rs. 17, 000 crores. Presently, 54, 000 dwelling units have been constructed out of a total of 58, 000 dwelling units under Phase-I of the project. Phase-I I of the project involving the construction of 70, 000 dwelling units has also begun. Phase-Ill and Phase-IV of MAP have been merged so that the work on the remaining 71, 000 dwelling units of MAP Phase III and Phase IV can be expedited. We are sure that MAP will go a long way in boosting the morale of our Armed Forces. Today, I wish to reassure you that when it comes to the welfare of jawans, we will never make any compromises.

Ex-servicemen have always been one of our topmost priorities. We are making our best efforts to ensure that there are no procedural delays in pension-related cases of ex-servicemen. Our Government is aware that ex-servicemen have some grievances with the amount of pension they get. A high-level committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look after such cases, as well as other problems.


No.5 :  Equipment modernization

Modernisation and indigenisation remain at the centre of all our efforts to help our Armed Forces. The recent, successful test of Agni-V is an achievement for our scientific community and it has proved that when it comes to indigenisation, it is only a question of willpower. The commissioning of INS Baaz, the Naval Air Station at Campbell Bay, will not only help maritime domain awareness, but will also impart blue water capability to our Navy. Similarly, the commissioning of INS Chakra and indigenously developed stealth frigate INS Sahyadri and naval version of indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft will definitely sharpen our attack capabilities.

No.6 :  Natural disasters

My sympathies are with the survivors of the Nature's fury in Jammu & Kashmir, north-eastern states, Assam, Uttarkashi and other parts of the country, which have seen the worst type of floods in recent times. My heartfelt condolences go out to those, who lost their near and dear ones, including Armed Forces personnel.

No.7 :  Sports

The performance of sportspersons from our Armed Forces has been a heart-warming one. Recently, Subedar Vijay Kumar, did our nation and the Armed Forces proud by winning the silver medal in shooting in the 25-metre rapid-fire pistol event at the London Olympics. I take pride in extending my heartiest congratulations to the Indian Army Women Expedition team that put 17 climbers atop Mount Everest, which is indeed a rare and a historic feat. I also congratulate the 'Delphinus' team of air warriors of Indian Air Force, which recently swam across the English Channel successfully under extreme conditions.

What would have been your top five issues?

27 comments:

  1. the order should be 3,5,1,4,6,7,2

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. Corruption
    2. Border and coastal security
    3. Equipment modernization
    4. Welfare of serving and retired soldiers
    5. Terrorism and human rights

    He is F$ck!ng defense minister, he should worry more about his soldiers equipment and bringing them in order rather than human rights for terrorists.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Politically correct, and like the bikini,revealing less than what was promised. All Ms Universes uniformally adore Mother Teresa...

    ReplyDelete
  4. 1. Welfare of serving and retired soldiers

    2. Corruption

    3. Equipment modernization

    4. Border and coastal security

    5. Protecting human rights during counter-terrorism ops

    That'ld be my ops (and i am not an army man)

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1. Need to boost self-esteem of Jawans and Officers.
    2. Armed Forces modernization (not just weapons).
    3. Focus on human space exploration. Space missions.
    4. Private sector quality players entry into defense equipment production.
    5. Revamp, Relook at command hierarchy and streamlining the same.

    ReplyDelete
  6. military might is... and the priorities are... 1) caputure china... 2)bulkanize pakistan... 3) march into Iran/Saudia for sponsoring terror in India... 4)make US kneel if they ever dream of arm twisting... 5)bring back the money looted by british back...

    ReplyDelete
  7. #5 i.e. equipment modernisation ought to be on top or it looks like the comments came from home minister and not defence minister.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How about increase in Salary and Survivability for a change?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Even after reminding this spineless defence minister multiple times through emails(last email last Saturday), this man is not going to change...Modernization for him will always remail lower on priority list compared to other myriad factors...The cost the country is paying for his 'HALO' is too much...And ironically, he is now the No 2 in cabinet....

    ReplyDelete
  10. No.1 : Equipment modernization

    No.2 : Corruption

    No.3 : Border and coastal security

    No.4 : Welfare of serving and retired soldiers

    No.5 : Protecting human rights during counter-terrorism ops

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1.equipment modernization
    2.border and coastal security
    3.corruption
    4.ex servicemen welfare
    5.human rights

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. Restore status of armed forces officers vis a vis group A officers and grant of NFU.

    2. act like a defence minister and take control of ministry of defence. It is the duty of ministry of defence to look after welfare of serving and retired soldiers and their families. MoD is not there to poke fingers at any thing and everything that affects faujis in a positive manner.

    3. Integerate military with bureaucrats in a real sense in MOD.

    4. the lesson of corruption should be given to bureaucrats and staff in MOD and Departement of ESM first.

    5. Should make it a point that every three months our defence minister takes a review from defence secretary as to what measures have been initiated by MOD for welfare on their own by him and his so called efficient and non corrupt staff.

    ReplyDelete
  13. First issue is NFU, then OROP,then parity...........rest all are irrelevant...........all that matters is money....one can't put pride and honour in a bank account and eat one's food......every one should know this

    ReplyDelete
  14. I absolutely agree with my only favorite minister in this Government.
    My friend went for giving new post paid mobile connections to a group of about 800 - 900 newly shifted soldiers and was asked to give gifts like TV etc. worth 3 lakhs to some officers before he could get that business. So he has now stopped going to the cantonment area.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. Corruption & Abuse of authority / privileges by flag-rank officers; enable the Vigilance function of the DV Directorate

    2. Human resource optimisation; we can cry hoarse about the officer shortage - its not going to change - instead there is a need to streamline our appraisal, selection and promotion / posting processes that are proving to be distorted.

    3. Review and refresh higher defence planning and perspective including compulsive drive to achieve jointmanship, military joint-Service intelligence capabilities and, above all, military-MoD symbiosis.

    4. Overhaul the administrative infrastructure of the military including reform of the military justice system, review remuneration policies, management of personnel including ESM and rehabilitation of willing Service personnel in other Govt sectors.

    5. Equipment management; most equipment deficiencies are a result of haphazard planning and perspective inputs, poor selection processes and exceptionally poor equipment exploitation by poorly trained users or maintainers.

    6. Audit of the land holdings of the MoD across the country and their possession / utilisation status.

    Border and coastal security, terrorism and HR are primarily MoH responsibility.

    Rest is all bunkum !!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Instead of wishy washy 5 pointers, here's a practical 15 point plan for the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri.

    1. A proper assault rifle for every soldier.

    2. Best in class and sector specific helmets, body armour, night vision goggles and boots for every soldier in every platoon.

    3. Weapon locating radar with every brigade commander.

    4. Night vision equipment in every main battle tank.

    5. An assault helicopter battalion attached to every division. It matters two monkeys whether they are flown by army men or air force, they will be under the operational command of the division commander.

    6. An air assault battalion (special forces) attached to every division.

    7. Expedite the construction and acquisition of new diesel submarines.

    8. Get Dassault to get us those planes ASAP.

    9. Dedicated military satelites.

    10 A chief of defence staff (CDS) who will have direct accountability for the Commander of Strategic Forces Command, Commander of Military Intelligence Command, Commander of Special Forces Command, and a commander of Joint Warfare responsible for preparing joint warfighting plans. Each of these subordinates will be a Lt. gen, V. Adm or Air Marchall equivalent to an area commander and will be eligible to be next chief of his or her service.

    11. One rank one pension

    12. Improved housing for defence personnel, down to the last junior sailors family so he can do his job in peace when 300 feet below sea level.

    13. Make Army Ranks of the same seniority level as Civil Service men based on years in service.

    14. Pay attention to your coast guard. It is rotting, they are responsible for coastal security.

    15. Pull your finger out and look like you're making some decisions. Act like a defence minister, morale of your men will follow.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I will add one other point to that,
    Hesitation to buy indigenous products. They need to buy local products, even it performs 30% lesser than then imported products.

    That is the best way to support our domestic industry, also it will bring down the cost of the products.

    So other countries will think of buying it, if is offered really cheap.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Sir,
    First of all we require to get our house in order.
    We may shout hoarse about NFU and downgradation, but what about 'mandalisation of Army'. The internal environment has to improve first - that has to come within us, later we can ask for NFU etc. AVSC vacancies have been given to infantry/ artillary/ armoured - lowering of standards of commanding officers leading to fracas in the units. GOD SAVE THE..

    ReplyDelete
  19. 1)Corruption and mismanagement;
    2) Corruption and Missmanagement and no R&D;
    3) Corruption and MisManagement and no R&D and no jobs;

    4) Corruption and MisManagement and no R&D

    5) Corruption and MisManagement and no R&D

    Having my brothers, wife and myself been in research, I feel we have to learn in research. In research 99.99 times there are varying degree of failures with success, but the 0.01% success is what makes research go further. Furthermore, if we did not have 99.99% failures with some success, we would never have the 0.01% success.

    The media, the students, the society, the cooperates and political leader should understand, the success and failure of research depends on management of resources.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It is heartening to know that we have so many military strategy and evolutionary roadmap experts among the public. Surely most have served in the forces, on the frontlines...

    -One rank, one pension
    -Officer corp rank/level equality with Civil Services cadre
    -Rationalize war-fighting strategy based on proper & recurring/updated reviews of current and emerging threats on both fronts
    - Development of indigenous technologies and capabilities
    -proper and timely procurement of war-fighting materials based on the realistic assessments

    ReplyDelete
  21. No.1 : Equipment modernization - SPECIAL OPS

    No.2 : Corruption Kill rogue generals

    No.3 : Border and coastal security

    No.4 : Welfare of serving and retired soldiers

    No.5 : Protecting human rights during counter-terrorism ops

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mr Antony has been Def Minister for over 5 years - and corruption is at the top of his own list!! WTF has he been doing all these last 5 years???
    There is only one issue to be tackled and that is service conditions - the DID rations are shit ass, housing for all ranks upto Maj Gens is in pathetic condition,the pay is peanuts and recognition in the warrant of precedence has been slipping over the years.
    If an officer is well paid and well looked after the temptations to look for and accept a bribe will automatically reduce.
    I would urge Mr Antony to go this route rather than just introduce more bureaucracy/controls/layers of approval in the Army's working.

    ReplyDelete
  23. With the amount of money the Indian army saves a year on camouflage cosmetics, since Indians are so dark, they should buy 100X Tie fighters.

    ReplyDelete
  24. My concern is the Defence minister himself... He may not be a corrupt minister, but he is inefficient which is more dangerous

    ReplyDelete
  25. THE HON DEFENCE MINISTER MUST TAKE A ROUND OF ALL OFFICES AND ORG OF DEFENCE MINISTRY IN SOUTH BLOCKAND RK PURAM . WHAT IS THE DEFENCE MINISTRY ANNUAL EXPENDITURE . DISBAND ALL
    18000 CHORS SITTING THERE. DISBAND ARMED FORCES HQ SERVICE, GET JCOS NCOS MAJ LT COL AND COL TO FILL UP ALLMOD BILLETS. HAVE BRIG AND MAJ GEN OFFICERS AS JOINT SECRETARIES. ONLY ADD SEC AND DEFE SEC TO BE FROM IAS .HAVE SEPERATE SEC ARMY ,NAVY AND AIRFORCE,APPOINT A COMMITTE
    TO HAVE TACTICAL AND STRAGEIC FORCES.
    APPOINT A SELECT STUDY GROUP TO OVERHAUL ANCIENT RECRUITMENT ,TRG RETENTION PROMOTION DISCHARGE PENSION AND COMPENSATION FOR INJURED AND WIDOWS AT 200PERCENT WITH DOUBLING EVERY7 YRS SOLDER SAILOR AIRMAN OFFICERS TO BE THE CENTRE PIVOT AND THERE REQ NEEDS PAY PENSION PROMOTIONS TO COME FIRST LIKE CIVIL SERVICE . 200/PERCENT LIBERAL BENEFITS TO INJUREDAND WIDOWS AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR LIFETIME.
    SOLDERS FOOD , CLOTHING BASIC WEAPONS EQUIPMENT AND LEVEL-4 JACKETSWITH KEVLAR HELMITS. 100PERCENT HOUSING FOR OFFICERS AND ALL MARRIED RANKS
    NO ACCOMODATION THEN 300PERCENT MARKET RATE RENT TOBE GIVEN . COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BY A OFFICERS UNION AND RETIRED OFFICERS AND JAWANS
    GRAND FLEETS TANK ARMIES AND GUNS COME NEXT WHEN ALL PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET . OFFICERS AND JAWANS RETIRED BFORE60 TO BE PAID FULL WAGES AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS. PENSION FOR ALL75PERCENT WITH FULL RESTORATION BY 75 YRS EVERY YEAR RETIRED TOBR PAID 5LAKS TO MAINTAIN STANDARD MEDICAL BILLS. NOPROMOTION BOARDS TILL MAJ GEN RANK
    CAPT 2YRS MAJ 3TO5 YRS LTCOL8TO10 YRS COL13TO14YRS BRIG 18 YRS MAJ GEN22YRS
    LTGEN 28 YRS . PENSIONABLE SERVICE 15 YRS INCLUDING TRG TIME LIKE CIVIL SERVICESFOR ALL OFFICERS AND RANKSOFFICERS RETIRING AFTER20 YRS TO GET LTGEN PENSION
    CONVENTIAL AND MOUNTIAN FORCES RO BE HANDLED BY GEN RANK OFFICER 54 YRS. ALLMAJ GENS AND LTGENS TO GRADUATE TO STRAGEIC FORCES AND MODAND RETIRE AT 62 YRS ALL ARMY CDRS AND PSOS TOBE 4STARS COASAND SERVICE CHIEFS TO BE FIELD MARSHAL RANK. ALLNCOS AND BELOW TO BE INSURED AT GOVT EXPENCE 4CRORES
    JCOS 8CRORES OFFICERS 12TO16 CRORES THAT IS THE MARKET RATE FOR A OFFICER AND THE BRIBE OFFERED TO GEN VK SINGH
    DISHONEST OFFICERS LIKE ADARSH AND SUKHNA SCAM TO BE SHOT AFTER CONVICTION. NO INDISCIPLINE NO HARRASSMENT TO JAWANS AND OFFICERS
    A MAN UNWILLING TO SERVE TO BE SENT HOME WITH HIS DUES IN 45 DAYS.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 1. Welfare of serving and retired soldiers
    2. making army less top heavy : increase SSC and improve TA.
    3. Improve thinking : we seem to be fighting by the same boom (ESP in the army) for the last 50 years.
    4. improve equipment levels with increased localizations.

    Coastal and border security is responsibility and need not be in the list

    ReplyDelete

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