Army chiefNew Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) With changing patterns interrain, armoured vehicles like battle tanks must have thecapacity and capability to operate on the western as well thenorthern border, Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said today.
Future warfare will be hybrid in nature and forces needto build the capability to deal with it, Rawat said.
He was addressing the inaugural session of a seminaron 'Future Armoured Vehicles India 2017' here.
Some part of the Thar desert is hardening, the Army chiefsaid. With the development of canals, barren land has turnedgreen and population density has increased, posing challenges.
"With the canal systems evolving, we have to address therequirement of bridges and the manner in which these armouredfighting vehicles will negotiate them. That is why I say thebattlefield will turn complex... the terrain will add to thecomplexities," Rawat said.
Whatever be the future, he added, armoured vehicles musthave the capacity and capability to operate on the western aswell the northern border.
"Therefore, whatever weapons we are going to introducemust be capable of interoperability on both the fronts," hesaid.
Rawat noted that the Army was looking at modernising itsmechanised forces and there should be a timeline for it.
The Army is looking to introduce modern tanks and ICVs(Infantry Combat Vehicle) from 2025-2027.
"This is the time we can make no mistake. We have todecide on what we want, what are the capabilities and whatexactly we have to achieve. We must have the capability tooperate by day and night," Rawat added.
While doing so, the requirements of the infantry have tobe looked into, he said. PTI PRMIN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.