From countering China to military modernization, challenges to India's security in 2023

For nation’s security and Indian military, experience outranks everything. year 2022 proved established modus operandi of Indian military to learn from experiences and utilize m to enhance state’s border security and integrity. As Indian Army clashed with China’s PLA in icy tops of Himalayas attempting to maintain India’s territorial integrity, Indian Air Force successfully acquired complete squron of Rafale fighters, test-fired extended-range version of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from a SU-30MKI jet and inducted indigeusly me LCH Prachand.  

Meanwhile, Indian Navy put nation in elite group of countries to be in possession of an indigeusly developed aircraft carrier with induction of INS Vikrant. Given such major developments, nation may wonder, what new military challenges are on hold for India as we enter 2023.

India’s border contention with China

Indian military leers and diplomats have alrey engd in up to 17 rounds of talks to resolve contention regarding differing perspectives on border shared by two nations. two nations have been at a military stand-off since June 2020 after infamous Galwan Valley clash where 20 Indian soldiers laid down ir lives in fierce melee combat against People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

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Despite commander-level talks between two nations, situation on Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains tense. Furrmore, Indian Army countered ar nefarious act of border transgression by China in December 2022 in Arunachal’s Tawang. China’s refusal to accept India’s proposal for disengment at Lakh’s Demchok and Depsang Bulge indicates one of major security challenges faced by India in 2023.  

Agnipath recruitment scheme amid challenges

India for first time, tested a new recruitment scheme called ‘Agnipath’ to recruit troops in Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force). first batch of Agniveers reached training acemies after tri-services received more than 5.4 million registrations. To be more specific, since June 2022 anuncement of Union government detailing new recruitment scheme, Indian Army received 3.7 million registrations, Indian Navy 0.95 million, and Indian Air Force 0.76 million.

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As per plan, after serving for duration of four years, 75% of recruits would be retired with a financial pack of Rs 12 lakh while 25% would be retained by Indian Armed Forces. Moreover, ar 25% will have opportunity to join Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Agniveers are set to be eligible for all gallantry hours as well as perks like Siachen Allowance. Moreover, in case an Agniveer is killed in action, family would get a compensation of Rs 1 crore.

However, scheme received a lot of flak within India’s military fraternity over its truncated training duration. In contrast to training of a regular soldier which lasts for up to 44 weeks in various aspects such as weapons handling and fieldcraft, Agniveers will receive only 26 weeks of training.

Indian Air Force set to replenish fighter fleet

Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal VR Chaudhari me it clear in a recent statement that priority for Indian Air Force (IAF) is to replenish depleting fighter squrons to “retain our combat edge”. statement came as China is actively bolstering its airbases in Tibet. Meanwhile, IAF is left with only 31 squrons in contrast to its approved strength of 42. Even though IAF received last of its 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, overall strength remains low as most of IAF fighter jets are nearing completion of ir service period.

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Keeping immediate security requirements of nation in priority, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in September approved Rs 6,500 crore in ditional funds to boost development of an upgred version of TEJAS MK-2. Tejas is supposed to replace 16 fighter jet squrons consisting of three squrons of Mir 2000s, five of MiG-29s, six of Jaguar and two of MiG-21 Bisons. Indian Air Force is aiming to bolster strength of its fighter squrons to 40 by 2040. 

Transition to ater Commands

One major step simultaneously being undertaken by Indian Armed Forces is transition to a ater Command structure aimed at enhancing jointness in tri-services. Under new structure, a ater Command would have specialized units from Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Moreover, such commands will be responsibility of an officer from any of tri-services, depending on assigned function. 

However,  implementation of concept suffered a setback following demise of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat. Meanwhile, new CDS, General Anil Chauhan is w spearheing operational aspects of plan.