Upgradation and modernization are the hallmarks of any army in the world. Presently, GoI has everything in mind and they are taking every step to keep our army’s numero uno status. Rafale advanced fighters were purchased, the LCA Tejas was also inducted, an indigenous helicopter manufacturing plant was inaugurated, and work on the Tejas Mark II was already underway, as was research into stealth aircraft. The thrust is on “Make in India” to not only save billions of dollars of precious foreign exchange but to remove dependency on any foreign country in case of any eventuality. From armoured vehicles to the latest automatic firearms to tanks, every effort is being made to indigenously develop and manufacture warfare material. Night vision devices, anti-drone technology, the latest radars, and transport planes to carry even tanks-each requirement of the forces has been kept in mind and procured.
Drones are the latest weapons that have changed the meaning of modern warfare. Drones can perform any task, from surveillance to arms carrying to attacks on advanced enemy positions or installations. There is no need to send teams of soldiers to physically check the movement of the enemy; all can be done by surveillance drones. Keeping in view the importance of drones in modern warfare, the GoI has also procured drones for all three wings of the forces, each capable of covering a distance of 50 km and carrying a payload of 1 kg to 5 kg. Kamikaze drones with a 100-km range are the latest addition to our army, able to select highly valued enemy targets and then crash to destroy them. The utility of drones doesn’t end here only, high-altitude drones, and desert drones are being procured. Every effort is being put forth to safeguard the 3500-kilometre Line of Actual Control from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. With temperatures in the minuses, meters of snow, and treacherous mountains, it is not an easy border to guard. Ground patrols are compensated by satellite images, remotely-piloted aircraft, and modern radars; practically, no one can escape our ever-vigilant army. Modern machinery for road and tunnel construction has been deployed to speed up road connectivity, along with heavy snow clearance equipment. Not only surveillance but attack ammunition is also being upgraded with the induction of K-9 Vajra track guns to the Pinaka multi-rocket launch system. Long- and short-range missiles have been deployed to counter any mischief along the ALC.
Almost one lakh crore has been spent on force modernization, which is enormous by any standard when combined with the border infrastructure development budget. Advance landing grounds, a fibre optic network, all-weather bunkers, the deployment of advance fighter aircraft squadrons, bunkers for tanks-GoI is setting up everything. Thirty-three months of the standoff with China have made us much more alert and confident, and efforts are on to plug shortcomings on a war footing. The Indian Army has an unparalleled track record, and with the all-out support of the present GoI, our army is well prepared for any type of situation at borders. Our army is one of the best battlefield-tested armies, an expert in terrorism, desert warfare, and high-altitude warfare, and has historically safeguarded the highest battlefield of Siachen against all odds. It is always the man behind the machine who matters most. The present situation is not that of the 1960s; every requirement of the army is being met, in routine as well as in an emergency. With upgraded fire-power and infrastructure, our army is just like a tiger on the prowl, ever ready to defend its territory.
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