The first batch of reforms of the Army including relocation of 229 officers from the Army Head Quarters (HQ), creation of a new post of Deputy Chief for Military Operations and Strategic Planning, and setting up new wings for vigilance and human rights issues has been approved, reports The Hindu on March 7. The Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved the reforms. Finalised after 12 independent studies, the reforms are intended to make the force a leaner force. Number of officers being moved out was 20% of the number of officers in the Army headquarters in Delhi, and they would be deployed in forward locations along the borders with China and Pakistan. A post of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, Strategy, is being created to deal with military operations, intelligence, strategic planning and operational logistics. Indian Express further adds that field units are currently working at 50 per cent of their capacity and move will strengthen the field units.
An official stated that ‘The number of officers up to the rank of Colonel in Army Headquarters is currently between 1,000 and 1,100, and 20 per cent of them will be available for field postings. Ninety per cent of these officers are from the ranks of Colonel and below. It’s the officers who lead the men in combat, so having more of them with field units will definitely enhance operational capabilities. Deputy Chief of Army Staff Strategy will have military operations, military intelligence, strategic planning and the newly created Information Warfare (IW) branches under it. An official said the new DG (IW) will have the erstwhile ADGs (Public Information) and Information Warfare (IW) wings under him to counter social media propaganda and hybrid warfare.