Thread by @dperi84

.#Thread: Annual press conference by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande. Touches upon fallout of Russia-Ukraine war, impact of COVID still being felt, challenges in the immediate neighbourhood…

Northern borders: Situation is stable and under control yet unpredictable,
Five of 7 flashpoints resolved: Gen Pande #LAC #LadakhStandoff

Strategic reorientation undertaken sometime back is complete in every respect: Army Chief #LAC #China #LadakhStandoff

On #LoC situation, Army Chief: Ceasefire understanding holding well.

Marked reduction in violence parameters and people are taking part in development activities..

Situation in #NorthEast: peace has returned in most of the areas…
Overall the return of dividends of peace are visible…: Army Chief

Proposal on commissioning of women officers in Regiment of Artillery has been forwarded to the Government. We hope this is accepted: Army Chief Gen Pande

Army Chief: We have decided to undertake transformation of the Army which spans across 5 key domains:
-Force restructuring and optimisation
-Modernisation
-Human Resource (#Agnipath)
-Jointness and integration
-Refining and improving our systems and processes

2023 will be the year of transformation wherein we have laid a roadmap, says Army Chief addressing annual press conference. Highlights some of the initiatives undertaken

On challenges Army Chief says situation on Northern borders, Agnipath implementation, impetus to transformation initiatives undrwy
“With our firm & resolve manner we have been able to maintain robust & defensive posture n prevented adversary from unilaterally changing status quo”

AK-203 project:
Looking at over 6 lakh rifles
As per contract 128 months or close to 10yrs

70,000 to come up in 10 months with indigenous context upto 70%. Subsequently it will be indigenous content

The first 5000 rifles will be delivered by IRRPL March this year: Army Chief

Correction: 70,000 is to come up in a matter of 32 months wherein indigenous content is required to be in the range of 5% to 70%.

Referring to reports of infra build up on Chinese side, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said "what doesnt come to the fore is what infra has been developed on our side..."

Purely in terms of border roads, because it is extremely critical, last 5 years the @BROindia has constructed close to 6000 kms of roads pan-India out of which 2100 km has been along the northern borders: Gen Pande

The second aspect is upgradation of bridges. Its not only roads but also need bridges to carry your guns, Army Chief said. 7450m length of bridges constructed #LAC #China

The frontier road which is total 1800 km will connect various valleys inArunachal Pradesh. The plan has been re-energise and funding has beenassigned. Some work on it is already underway: Gen Pande on #Arunachal frontier highway #LAC

Thrs the aspect of all weather connectivity both Ladakh & Kameng in #Arunachal. In #Ladakh, there is the Zojila tunnel as well as Z-Morh tunnel which will link the valley to Ladalkh. Will be operationalised by year end. We will have all weather connectivity from that side: COAS

Connectivity to Leh from the other side, Atul tunnel is well known but thrs also the Shinku la tunnel along Nemu-Padam-Daricha road which again is in final stages of approval. Once this happens, there will be all weather connectivity from both sides to #Ladakh: Gen Pande #LAC

Thrs also better all-weather connectivity to Tawang or Kameng sector. Sela tunnel likely to get operational by middle of year and 1 further South at Nechiphu near Bomdila. Thrs also plan for an alternate connectivity to the all important DS-DBO road through Saser la: COAS

On strategic rail lines, two are planned in the North East and one in #Ladakh. The final survey has been completed and the source of funding is currently under discussion: Army Chief

So there are plans not only for all-weather connectivity but also alternate connectivity... Infrastructure on our side there has been marked improvement: Army Chief on infrastructure development
#LAC #China #LadakhStandoff

In the context of habitats, especially #EasternLadakh we have close to 55,000 troops for whom habitat has been completed. There has also been covered heated accommodation for 400 odd guns and 500 A-vehicles which is tanks and infantry vehicles: Army Chief

Overall, ₹1300 crore has been spent in the last three years focussing on infrastructure and habitat in Ladakh. Then there are aspects of locally made Sheela shelters, looking at more green solutions like fuel cells to meet energy requirements: Army Chief #LAC #China

On #JoshimathIsSinking Army Chief: Abt 25-28 buildings developed minor cracks n jawans hv been temporarily relocated. If necessary, thrs plan to move them permanently near Auli.
Existing road developed minor cracks which BRO has been successful in repairing or work is underway...

Army Chief on #Joshimathcrisis: Alternate route work as far as I know, has been temporarily halted.

There is no major impact on our operational readiness.

There is no major damage on the main axis going beyond #Joshimath.

On impact of #Ukraine war, Army Chief said they carried out an assessment on the reliance of the force on Soviet-origin equipment in use at present and looking at ways to meet their sustenance requirements and identifying alternate sources of supply for their spares & ammo...

Sustenance of these weapon systems & equipment, in terms of spares n ammunition, is one issue that we have addressed. We got a waiver and sanction to procure even if it is ex-imports for the next two to three years: Army Chief on impact of #Ukraine war

We have 40 such cases, inclu spares & ammunition, largely pertaining to air defence n tank fleet. We are looking at how sustenance requirement is met

Also looking at finding alternate sources of supply of these spares wch we were sourcing from these countries: Gen Pande #Ukraine

In terms of supplies from these countries, yes, there has been an impact. We have put out a plan to overcome this and as we move forward, we will be able to overcome this challenge successfully: Gen Pande on impact of #Ukraine war