Aside from a review on the creation of integrated theatre commands by the military and the implementation of the Agnipath scheme, the Combined Commanders Conference this year is likely to see discussions on a range of topics such as digitization of data, challenges, and opportunities of social media and defence exports, The Indian Express has learnt. The Combined Commanders Conference (CCC)—a biennial event which sees the country’s top military brass coming together to brainstorm on military matters and national security—starts Thursday in Bhopal. An exhibition titled “Fauji Mela” which is part of the event was, however, formally inaugurated Wednesday. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs and military commanders of the three services will attend the event which is based on the theme “Ready, Resurgent, Relevant.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event on the last day of the conference and address the military commanders. Senior government officials told The Indian Express that the discussions would feature discussions on three years of the establishment of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Defence Ministry, its achievements and way forward. Additionally, there is also likely to be a review on the progress on the creation of theatre commands—a military reform that is under progress and is being led by Gen Chauhan. Other topics to feature in the conference include reforms in Defence Research and Development Organisation in enhancing capability development of the Armed Forces, review on Defence PSU reforms and recommendations for future and role of the Armed Forces in nation building. This also featured in the last CCC held at Kevadia in Gujarat in March 2021. Additionally, a key focus of the conference will be Atmanirbhar Bharat and business process reengineering in capital acquisition and growth in defence exports. The government has set an ambitious target to achieve maximum self-reliance in defence and reach a defence export target of $5 billion. At the conference, a stall showcasing indigenous equipment will be set up. The CCC this year comes amid an ongoing military standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and an array of geopolitical challenges thrown by the war between Russia and Ukraine which has been underway for over a year now. There would be likely discussions on the operational aspects related to these. The last CCC in 2021 also saw discussions on a range of contemporary topics such as challenges in the new domain of cyber, space and unmanned systems. PM Modi in his speech during the last CCC had mentioned increasing indigenisation in India’s military equipment and in doctrines, procedures, and customs of the Indian military. Subsequently, there has been a major push on not only giving preference to indigenous military equipment in defence acquisitions but also doing away with several British-era symbols and traditions in the Indian military.
