The Indian Army, in its plan for larger manpower optimisation of its force, is deliberating to convert its logistics and transport units into the Territorial Army (TA), a top defence source has said. The TA, according to the source, is also recruiting Chinese language interpreters for border personnel meetings (BPM) and cyber security experts to support the Army.
“It is in a deliberation stage right now. We are discussing conversion of logistics and transport units among other administrative units into TA,” the source said, adding that the move will have huge financial implications as it will reduce the burgeoning pay and pension burden on the government at present.
As part of a larger transformation of the Army, several efforts are on cards to optimise its manpower — including roping in veterans with expertise in specific areas for its training institutions on contractual basis, cross-skilling technical trades, outsourcing several services at its static units. The efforts to downsize elements of both combat and combat-support arms of the Army is slated for implementation in the next five years in phases.
A TA’s role is to effectively relieve the regular army of various static duties such as road opening or protection of lines of communication. TA units are provided to the regular army as and when required for specific roles such as providing aid to civil authorities during disaster or maintenance of essential services. The official said, a TA gives an opportunity to “able-bodied and employed” citizens to don the uniform and serve the country.
Talking about the hiring of Chinese language interpreters, the source said that five of them have been hired in the first phase, based on their proficiency in spoken and written Mandarin. “We selected the best. They have already been deployed at forward locations where BPMs with the Chinese take place,” the source said, adding that the induction took place in August this year even as the process had started in January.
Whereas, the hiring of cyber security experts is awaiting a final sanction but is at an advanced stage, the source added. “We are hopeful of getting the sanction by the end of this month. On a trial basis, we plan to induct five to six cyber experts in the first go,” the official said.
Around 14 battalions are currently involved in counter-insurgency and counter terrorism roles in the northeast and J&K.The source said that several TA units have also been inducted in Ladakh and are providing protection to lines of communication and other critical border infrastructure of the Border Roads Organisation.
