Not battle-ready before 2027, admits Indian Army

[BanglaBhoot]

The Indian Army, one of the world's largest, has admitted it is far from being battle-ready. The force is 50 per cent short of attaining full capability.

The admission is part of the army's internal assessment report submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. Headlines Today has exclusive access to the report.

The report says it will take around 20 years for the army to gain full defence preparedness. The infantry, artillery and the armoury would be fully ready for battle only by 2027. This means that in the event of a war in the next two decades, the country may prove to be a virtual sitting duck.

Going by the report, the force seems most vulnerable as far as combat helicopters are concerned. The report says the army has attained an abysmal 17 per cent capability in combat choppers. Full combat capability by helicopters would not be possible before 2027.

Another problem is the army's inability to develop a communication network. India will not have a real-time information sharing network before 2027. The current capability is just 24 per cent despite the country's stellar show in information technology.

What's really shocking is the shortage in fighting arms. The artillery has just 52 per cent of the total capability required to defend the country. The country will near 97 per cent capability in artillery only by 2027.

The infantry too is struggling at a 65 per cent capability. The infantry wants to replace its indigenous INSAS rifles, acquire night-fighting capabilities, new generation anti-tank missiles and rockets. Shields for nuclear, biological and chemical warfare too are not properly in place.

The picture isn't rosy for the mechanised and special forces units either, which are way behind their required defence preparedness.

Not battle-ready before 2027, admits Indian Army: India Today - Latest Breaking News from India, World, Business, Cricket, Sports, Bollywood.

 

[hindesi]

The Indian Army, one of the world's largest, has admitted it is far from being battle-ready. The force is 50 per cent short of attaining full capability.

The admission is part of the army's internal assessment report submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. Headlines Today has exclusive access to the report.

The report says it will take around 20 years for the army to gain full defence preparedness. The infantry, artillery and the armoury would be fully ready for battle only by 2027. This means that in the event of a war in the next two decades, the country may prove to be a virtual sitting duck.

Going by the report, the force seems most vulnerable as far as combat helicopters are concerned. The report says the army has attained an abysmal 17 per cent capability in combat choppers. Full combat capability by helicopters would not be possible before 2027.

Another problem is the army's inability to develop a communication network. India will not have a real-time information sharing network before 2027. The current capability is just 24 per cent despite the country's stellar show in information technology.

What's really shocking is the shortage in fighting arms. The artillery has just 52 per cent of the total capability required to defend the country. The country will near 97 per cent capability in artillery only by 2027.

The infantry too is struggling at a 65 per cent capability. The infantry wants to replace its indigenous INSAS rifles, acquire night-fighting capabilities, new generation anti-tank missiles and rockets. Shields for nuclear, biological and chemical warfare too are not properly in place.

The picture isn't rosy for the mechanised and special forces units either, which are way behind their required defence preparedness.

Not battle-ready before 2027, admits Indian Army: India Today - Latest Breaking News from India, World, Business, Cricket, Sports, Bollywood.

Hmm things look bad.. but not to worry this all talk is in context of China. No need for you to get all jumpy MBI

 

[pagans]

Maybe Bangladesh can attack India and capture New Delhi....It's worth a try.

 

[Goodperson]

Maybe Bangladesh can attack India and capture New Delhi....It's worth a try.

Nothing wrong in Munshi's post, IA is not in good shape as per committee report.

 

[pmukherjee]

The Indian Army, one of the world's largest, has admitted it is far from being battle-ready. The force is 50 per cent short of attaining full capability.

What this implies, in real terms is that all the components that go with or are desirable in, an Army which is the fourth largest in the world, are not in place, yet.

Going by these standards, no Army in the world is ever 100% battle ready. There is always this trade off between expenditure on defence and that on national development and poverty alleviation. Every country has to do this balancing act between its aspirations, justifiable security needs and its capabilities.

No nation can ever give to its Army all that it needs, or feels it needs. Unless and until it is at the cost of critical national development, which is neither desirable, nor (in a democracy) is it possible. The Army has now put the ball in the court of the GOI. It is up to the GOI now to find and make available the resources the Army feels it should have or accept the alternative.

There are gaps in our acquisitions. There always are. Efforts are on to mitigate these shortages.That does not in anyway imply that India is vulnerable to attacks. It simply means that we do not have every thing we need.

 

[boxer_B]

Nothing wrong in Munshi's post, IA is not in good shape as per committee report.

I concur, nothing wrong with MBI Munshi's post. We have to be aware of our shortcomings. Its good thing that IA has done introspection and submitted report to parliament. Kudos to them

 

[yashraj]

I think HINDESI is right. It's Regarding China.......
Look At the onother way if it's correct then we are going to see Tons of new Procurment in vary small time.......
And yes India want to replase their 5.56*43mm Insas to New 7.62*39mm.
5.56mm caliber is good for long range accuracy shooting but dont have enough power like 7.63*39mm(it's suffer from accuracy problem and high recoil), Thats why In FINSAS we are developing new Multicaliber weapon(New 6.5mm bullet and 40mm granade launcher)......

 

[AnGrz_Z_K_Jailer]

Thanks for your detailed explaination Mr, pMukherjee .... I fully agree with you and appreciate your informative post, which help us to understand the above article post by one of our mate Mr, MBI Munshi....

 

[SSG VIPER]

IA needs some muscle just like our PN..

 

[deckingraj]

IA needs some muscle just like our PN..

I guess you mean PA...Anyways rest assured they have got enough muscle to keep PA at bay...All the comments that our defence forces make should not be just viewed from Indo-Pak aparatus....PA as per their threat levels/aspirations have different needs than IA and vice-versa....Now complement it with our overall goal of being a influential force in South Asia with all the major defence deals falling in the lap of IN, IAF and IA still fighting with the ghosts of Bofors scandal you will see where this report is coming from....

Having said it i strongly believe that GOI should ensure all the shortcomings are taken care of ASAP...Though i have a little doubt as to why they need freaking 20 years to overcome all that??? Don't people think its too long of a time???

For more explanation please read post # 5..

 

[Hulk]

Nothing wrong in Munshi's post, IA is not in good shape as per committee report.

I agree 100% with you, if someone points fingers at you, you can either introspect and correct yourself or start pointing fingers to others in return. I prefer introspection since it leads to corrective action which improves situation.

 

[gogbot]

Meh iF they wanted to be Potent fast, they could curb corruption in the Army.

currently the Bright spots for the Army are its Network infrastructure projects.
and the F-INSAS program.
They need Artillery
And in my Opinion 4000 more tanks.(2000 is not going to cut it)
more Mobile SAM's
They should get some armed Dhurv Gunships.

Well frankly speaking the rest depends on the speed of Induction.

 

[idune]

So that means india will be taking on China shortly after 2027? Well not literally but in confronting tone. I am sure Chinese are counting on their demise.

 

[AnGrz_Z_K_Jailer]

Stop trolling idune ...

 

[gogbot]

So that means india will be taking on China shortly after 2027? Well not literally but in confronting tone. I am sure Chinese are counting on their demise.

The question is Does India have to take on China ?

Preparing to survive falling from Cliff.
Is vastly different from jumping of it.