Army Day is celebrated on January 15 in recognition of Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Bucher on January 15 1949. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane addressed the “Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Press Conference 2022”. Highlights of his address are:

• There are positive developments on northern and western borders, although a few regions have noted a rise in terrorist concentrations.
• Armed forces maintain the highest level of operational preparedness while engaging with the PLA through dialogue.
• The rise in infiltration attempts by terrorists exposes nefarious designs of our western neighbour.
• The regrettable incident in Nagaland is being investigated. The army remains committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations.
• Plan to increase Assam Rifles battalions along the Indo-Myanmar border.
• China’s new border law is not binding on us as it is not in keeping with agreements we have had in the past.
• Permanent Commission to women officers at par with their male counterparts. 
• Both military and media have a significant role to play along with the other pillars of the state in building a strong nation.
• Indian Army committed to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”. 
• Owing to high standards of training, professional expertise and reliable defence technology, an increasing number of Friendly Foreign Countries are showing interest in engaging with us. 
• ‘Zero Tolerance’ to terror and’ Whole of Government’ approach has led to progressive improvement in UT of J&K.
• Establishment of Theatre Command being deliberated upon in consultation with other services, in line with collective efforts and greater integration. 
   

INDIA AND FIVE OTHER NATIONS BEGIN ANTI-SUBMARINE EXERCISE

India is among the six Indo-Pacific nations participating in a multi-lateral anti-submarine warfare exercise— ‘Sea Dragon 22’, in the Pacific Ocean that commenced on January 5 2022. Participating navies include India, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the US. ‘Sea Dragon 22’ will primarily centre on anti-submarine warfare training and excellence. The training includes over 270 hours of in-flight training, ranging from tracking simulated targets to the final problem of tracking a live US Navy submarine. Each event will be graded, and the nation scoring the highest total points will receive the coveted Dragon Belt award, which the Royal Canadian Air Force won last year. 

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL VR CHAUDHARI INTERACTS WITH AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR MIKE WIGSTON OF RAF

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, interacted virtually with Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston of Royal Air Force this week. During the interaction, which lasted for over 30 minutes, bilateral defence cooperation issues were discussed.