As a part of an overall approach to absorb niche technologies and modernise its online networks, the Indian Army, on April 27, 2023, said that it has decided to set up and operationalise the Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings.
The Indian Army’s decision came during the Army Commanders Conference held from April 17 to April 21, 2023. The conference is an apex event held twice yearly, i.e., in April and October.
It is an institutional platform for conceptual-level deliberations, which ultimately leads to making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
Additionally, the Indian Army, on April 27, 2023, said that wide-ranging strategic training, human resource and administrative aspects were discussed in the conference.
According to the Indian Army, cyber operations are necessary for grey-zone warfare and conventional operations.
As per a source, “The expansion of cyber warfare capabilities by our adversaries has made the cyber domain more competitive and contested than ever before.”
The source said that the Indian Army is rapidly migrating towards net centricity, which entails an increased reliance on state-of-the-art communication systems.
According to another source, “To safeguard the networks and increase the preparedness levels in this niche domain, CCOSW are being raised in the Army. These organisations will assist the formations in undertaking the mandated functions to strengthen the cyber security posture of the Indian Army.”
Sources say the Indian Army is inducting many niche technologies, including Loitering Munitions, swarm drones, and anti-drone equipment.
They added that the Test Bed formations and Lead Directorates would be nominated to evolve optimal employment philosophy to facilitate better exploitation of these technologies across the army.
Another important decision taken by the Indian Army is to replace the 1+3+1 Technical Entry Scheme model with the 3+1 Model from January 2024 onwards.
This will address the issue of officer shortage and make more officers available in the units combined with simulation training, which will get a significant push through the procurement of 435 Simulators for Rs 791 Crore in 2023.
The decision to identify and train selected motivational soldiers for paralympic events at Army Sports and Mission Olympic Nodes in nine sporting events.
Moreover, in a step towards the welfare of the specially-abled children of the soldiers who die in harnesses, it was decided to double the sustenance allowance to such children through AGIF (Army Group Insurance Fund).
The commanders and other senior functionaries also reviewed the operational readiness of the Indian Army. The meeting also discussed the progress on efficiently implementing the Agnipath Scheme and identified specific areas and actionable points for promoting jointness and integration with other defence services and government agencies.
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