Country facing complex security challenges: Army Chief

8220;The nation today is faced with complex, diverse and evolving security challenges and Indian army continues to play a pivotal role in securing peace and stability,8221; he said addressing a conference in Delhi.

8220;The current situation of continuous commitment of Indian army in Counter Insurgency situation both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East is also a reality.

The Army Chief said the future paradigm of warfare would have numerous dimensions as environment would be information oriented. 8220;Situations would call for speedy decision making and integration with other forces would be vital,8221; he said.

8220;There will always be pressure to quickly resolve the crisis. There will be need for effective military response,8221; Gen Kapoor told the conference on 8216;Future Infantry Soldier as a System8217;.

Noting the important role of infantry, he said the future warfare and conflicts will pose a large number of challenges and threats to the infantry soldier.

8220;As the army equipment and systems are becoming more and more sophisticated and complex, the soldiers8217; enhanced intelligence, training skills, flexibility, and adaptability will also increasingly become important,8221; he said.

Kapoor said most armies the world-over has recognised this aspect and are on to various soldier modernisation programme.

8220;Modernisation of our infantry battalion is already underway. Some new generation weapons have been already inducted into the service,8221; he said.

8220;The objective is to enhance the capability of the soldier in respect of lethality, survivality situational awareness and command and control,8221; said.

Top army officials and executives from private industries participated in the conference that was jointly organised by CII and the defence ministry.

Hence, he said, there was a pragmatic need to find a balance to thwart the twin threats of the conventional war with a nuclear backdrop and the Counter Insurgency situation.

Appreciating the role of private sector in defence production, he said cooperation among the industry, defence public sector undertakings and the defence establishment should be enhanced.

8220;We do appreciate the need for Industry and military partnership in the defence sector,8221; he said.

Kapoor said the private sector could play a very important role in design and development of indigenous equipment for the military.