Defence Ministry panel to trim forces

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 1

The Ministry of Defence wants major structural changes in the Army, IAF and the Navy, like cutting down on “flab”, doing away with posts that may have become redundant and ensure modernisation or addition of new equipment does not mean a corresponding rise in numbers for the forces.

The MoD has decided to appoint a committee to suggest reforms in a time-bound manner. The committee could be headed by a retired three-star rank officer who would be understanding all operational needs and knowing how warfare has evolved or is set to evolve in the future. The last such committee, headed by former Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh, on reforms was set up a decade ago.

Sources said the three forces had been asked to project what all could be done away with in the age where the traditional war fighting is changing rapidly.

A large chunk of the budget for this fiscal has been kept for salaries under the “capital” head. A sum of Rs 90,208 crore, including a sum of Rs 78, 586 for new equipment, weapons, aircraft, naval warships, Army vehicles has been allocated, while salaries for the three services – Army , Navy and the IAF , along their civilian staff — has been budgeted at Rs 95,849 crore – that is Rs 5,641 crore more than the capital expense.

There is no move to change the regimental system of the Army or the way the IAF or the Navy function and operate. The three forces have a combined strength of about 15.50 lakh. Even though the committee has not been given any targets for reducing numbers, sources said, one of its key targets would be to reduce expenses. This may include multiple use of lands where any of the services has a station in close proximity to each other.