'Army ready to induct women in infantry if there is societal acceptance': General Upendra Dwivedi

NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday the Army is ready to induct women in the infantry but that is contingent on societal acceptance.

Stressing that women should not be seen as a “vulnerable commodity”, the General, during a media briefing, said the Army's focus is on “gender neutrality”. “If standards are same, if capabilities are same, and in India as a nation, society is ready to accept it, it (combat role) can be done tomorrow,” he said.




He said uniform standards are essential, but achieving them remains a challenge due to medical and operational constraints. Gen Dwivedi said performance data of women officers will determine the opening of more roles, starting with supporting arms, followed by combat arms and eventually special forces, calling it a “sequential and welcome social change.”

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Giving an estimate of the number of women in the Army currently, the Army chief had last year said, “In the NDA as of today, we have 60 women Army cadets and every year, we are looking at (inducting) 20 cadets. Also, in the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)—Chennai and Gaya—we are looking at 120 per year.” When it comes to inducting women in the other ranks (ORs), it involves a change in Section 12 of the Army Act, he had said. The Army was looking at a 12 times increase in women’s induction in ORs by 2032. “Currently, the total number of women officers is 8,000,” he had said. The Territorial Army opened up for women and 110 vacancies will come up for women, he had added.

Army modernising force for future warfare: GeneralTaking lessons from conflicts going on around the world, General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday modernisation remains the urgent focus of the Indian Army. Dedicated regiments of drones with enhanced capabilities, rocket cum missile force, loitering munitions, new battalions like Bhairon equipped with modern technologies and advanced weapons and anti-missile defence radar and systems are on the cards.

He said over 90% ammunition is now indigenised, underscoring the push towards self-reliance. “After Operation Sindoor, drones got a new thrust,” he said, adding that new drone formations have been raised and each command now has the capability to manufacture up to 5,000 drones depending on operational requirements. This capability can be enhanced to 20,000 or even one lakh drones depending upon the threat perception or conflict, he said.

“As of today, we have raised 13 Bhairav battalions, which are meant to bridge the gap between lethal platoons and special forces within infantry battalions,” the Gen said.

“Moving on to artillery, we have created a Divyastra battery. It will be part of the artillery regiment and will provide support to a division commander. Again, this involves UAS equipment. For counter-unmanned aircraft system ammunition, we have our powerful regiment, which we are currently raising three units of, and will later raise 12 more. We will then expand this further,” he added.
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