The Army on Friday asserted that it was committed to a peaceful security environment and would holistically address emerging threats and challenges to ensure that there was no room for terror.

It was decided at the five-day Army Commanders’ Conference that all future conflicts would be planned and executed jointly by the three services. The conference, an apex level biannual event, formulates important policy decisions. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through collegiate system comprising Army Commanders and senior officers.

The Defence Ministry said the conference comprehensively deliberated on all aspects of extant security dynamics, emerging security scenarios, enhancing operational capability in near and long term and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries.

Reviews during the conference included readiness, tri-services synergy, military diplomacy and joint exercises that have created capacity and environment and supporting operational plans.

For developing deeper understanding and enhancing jointness, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, addressed the Army Commanders in which he talked of vision and high credibility of IAF missions and ideas for synergised application.

Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee also addressed the Army Commanders and focused on jointness and challenges in maritime domain.

Additionally, to promote indigenisation through ‘Make in India’, an exhibition of emerging and future defence technological innovations was held.

A total of 53 domestic companies participated in this event.  This interaction of industry representatives with the senior leadership of the Army facilitated in obtaining a direct feedback regarding product development and enhancement keeping in view the requirements of Army.

With a focus on the welfare of the families of brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in the services of the Nation, 2019 has been declared as the year of ‘Next of Kin’.

The key highlights of the conference were:

–optimum force readiness to be ensured,

–re-prioritise the existing requirements to ensure optimum utilisation of the resources allocated for force modernisation and capacity building,

— increase the content of indegenisation in force modernisation, and

–ensure speedy all-weather connectivity to Northern Borders.

The need to appreciate role of women officers in view of their permanent   commission and align their employment gainfully with organisational requirements was concurred by all.  Avenues for making the lady officers experts in foreign languages, artificial intelligence, data management, cyber and space domains were being examined, the Defence Ministry stated.