The move is expected to make the Army self-reliant and cut bureaucratic delays that can be a hindrance to enhancing military firepower critical in a short war
The Indian Army has begun procurements to fill up critical strategic deficiencies and enhance its capabilities to fight a "short, intense war" lasting 15-20 days, amid a protracted standoff with China, regular ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terrorist infiltrations.
The Centre has given emergency powers to the Army Vice-Chief to buy ammunition and armaments without necessary sanctions that can cause delays, sources said.
The move is expected to make the Army self-reliant and cut bureaucratic delays that can be a hindrance to enhancing military firepower critical in a short war.
With the new financial powers given, 46 types of ammunition for tanks and artillery guns, spares for 10 types of weapons, armaments and mines can be purchased that can cost approximately Rs 40,000 crore. "The government has decided that the powers must rest with the Army to buy the crucial equipment whenever it feels the need," source said.
The decision was taken last week as the military standoff continues with China on the Sikkim border near the Indian-Bhutan-China tri-junction, and Indian troops combating regular shelling and border raids from Pakistan.
The India-China faceoff started more than a month ago.
It happend after the Indian Army objected to road construction by China in Dokalam area of Bhutan, a disputed spot between China and Bhutan. The area is of great strategic importance to India as it could bring the Chinese closer to the Siliguri corridor that connects to the Northeast.
After the Uri terror attack in September last year when 18 troops were killed, an internal review by the Army said that there were deficiencies in critical holdings.
Following the findings of the Army report in October that exposed limitations in sustaining a short, intense war, the Vice-Chief was given temporary powers for a period of three months ending December 31, 2016. "The need to increase the period was felt and it was extended for another three months till March 31, 2017," said a source.
Sources said that in this period, procurements worth Rs 12,000 crore were made. These included 19 contracts, out of which 11 were for ammunition.
Soon after the Uri attack, the Indian Army launched surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) claiming to have destroyed terror launchpads aided by the Pakistani Army to facilitate infiltration to India.
Soon after the surgical strikes, the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan spiralled. In 2016, the number went up to 225 from 150 in 2015 and 153 in 2014.
Since then, there have been three instances of beheading of Indian soldiers by Pakistani Border Action Teams — a combination of Pakistani Army regulars and terrorists who carry out raids attacking Indian soldiers.
THE STAND-OFF
The Army objected to a road construction by China in Dokalam, Bhutan.
Dokalam is disputed territory between Bhutan and China.
The proposed road would bring China closer to the Siliguri corridor in the Northeast.
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