Army chief briefs PM on security situation

New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is believed to have briefed him on the prevailing security situation in the country. The Army Chief, who is also the Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee, met the Prime Minister for around 15 minutes and is understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region as well. [caption id=“attachment_1023035” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Bikram Singh. AFP[/caption] The Army chief and the IAF chief also held separate meetings with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and briefed him on the various issues faced by them. The Army chief made a 40-minute presentation to the Defence Minister on various issues including the situation along the borders with China and Pakistan, the militancy situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, Defence Ministry officials said. He is also understood to have briefed Jaitley on the critical requirements of the force in terms of equipment and its priority areas in the present scenario. The status of the new 17 Strike Corps being raised along the border with China is also understood to have come up during the presentation given by the outgoing Army chief. The Army is facing shortage of critical equipment such as artillery guns and its procurement cases including acquisition of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, 197 light utility helicopters and several types of air defence weaponry are stuck due to one reason or the other. IAF Chief Arup Raha briefed the Defence Minister on the operational preparedness of the force and the support required by it from the Government for strengthening its capabilities. The 126 Rafale combat aircraft deal is also understood to have come up for discussion during the briefing. The deal has been stuck for the last two years and in view of the delays in getting new planes, the IAF has been forced to continue operating its vintage MiG-series aircraft, which have been frequently meeting with accidents. Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan is expected to brief the Minister next week. PTI