On December 3, 2020, As part of reorganisation of Army Headquarters, Defence Ministry approved the Creation of 2 New Posts – Deputy Chief for Military Operations & Strategic Planning & Director General (DG) of Information Warfare. The Deputy Chief (for Military Operations & Strategic Planning) will be the 3rd post of Deputy Chief in the Indian Army.
Role of Deputy Chief for Military Operations & Strategic Planning:
i.The Post has been created to deal with military operations, military intelligence, strategic planning and operational logistics.
ii.Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt General Paramjit Singh is set to become the First Deputy Chief of Army Staff for Military Operations & Strategic Planning.
iii.The process for the creation of the post started after the India-China Doklam Crisis in 2017. During the crisis the higher officials felt the need for direct coordination in the Headquarters.
Role of Director General of Information Warfare:
i.The post has been created to cater to the needs of future battlefield, hybrid warfare and social media realities additionally they would deal with media affairs.
ii.The Additional Director General (Strategic Communications) would work under the office.
Background:
i.The recommendation for creation of new posts were made based on results of Four Studies Institutes by Indian Army.
ii.In October, 2018, during the Army Commanders Conference, Indian Army Headquarters instituted Four Studies with an objective of enhancing operational and functional efficiency of force, optimising budget expenditure, facilitating modernisation and addressing aspirations.
Note: – The Four Studies Are Re-organisation & Rightsizing of Indian Army, Reorganisation of the Army Headquarters, Cadre Review of Officers, Review of Terms of Engagement of Rank and File.
Recent Related News:
i.On September 08, 2020, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in Defence Sector, thereby allowing FDI through automatic approval to be increased from 49% to 74%.
About Indian Army:
Chief of Defence Staff – General Bipin Rawat
Commander-in-Chief of Indian Armed Forces – President of India (Ram Nath Kovind)
