Staff Shortage in Armed Forces
The Army is facing a shortfall of nearly 10,000 officers while the Navy is facing a shortage of about 1,800. Also, 644 officers have taken premature retirement from the Army since 2012. In the Navy, the figure stood at 343 while in the Air Force, it was 441. Availability of attractive alternate career avenues is the key reason for the same, govt sai in LS.
Myanmar not for Anti-India Ops
Myanmar has assured that its territory would not be used for activities inimical to India, which had conducted surgical operations along the border causing “significant casualties” to terrorists, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday. He said the issue of alleged presence of Indian insurgent groups in Myanmar are regularly taken up with the Myanmar.
Pak Denies Having Prisoners of War
As many as 54 missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars are believed to be in custody in Pakistan. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said the government has repeatedly been taking up the matter with Pakistan.“Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any such personnel in its custody,” he said.
Indian Def Exports to 22 Nations
Though India can be the biggest arms importer in the world, in recent years, the defence public sector units-- Ordinance Factory Boards-- and some private players have supplied military hardware to various countries. From bulletproof vests to Turkey to helicopters to Afghanistan, the items were exported after securing clearance from the MEA.