Bikram Singh vows to address concerns on Army's modernisation

 Lt Gen Bikram Singh will take over as the new Army Chief tomorrow with a resolve to strengthen the work culture of the force and address the "hollowness" of the modernisation process.

Observing that Army's warfighting capabilities get adversely impacted due to prolonged deployments in internal security situations, he said the force will continue to provide help in training to the central armed police forces (CAPF) to deal with internal security situations.

"My priority would be to ensure operational readiness of the force... then to address the hollowness and ensure the modernisation process proceeds as per stipulated timeline and to strengthen Army's work culture and core values," Lt Gen Bikram Singh said in an interview with Defence Ministry's journal 'Sainik Samachar'.

"All commanders must endeavour to create a climate during their command tenures that hinges on our cherished core values, professional ethos and is conducive for growth and cohesion," he said.

The incoming Army Chief said the force was "fully prepared to face and counter any external threat and deal with internal security challenges."

Commenting on the assistance provided to the CAPFs by the force, Lt Gen Singh said till March this year, the Army has trained 70,000 personnel from CAPF and state police forces including 38 battalions of the CAPF in counter insurgency operations.

"140 Assistant Commandants of various CAPFs have undergone six months attachment with Army units in CI operations and another batch of 120 officers was presently undergoing attachment. Our endeavour is to make these junior leaders proficient in handling their units in sub-conventional war fighting areas," he said.