The 13th IPACC took place from September 26 to 27, 2023, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This biennial event, co-hosted by the Indian Army and the US Army Pacific, brought together army chiefs from 30 Indo-Pacific nations.
Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference
The central theme for this forum is ‘Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.’ The conference will provide an opportunity for Army Chiefs and senior-level leaders from land forces, primarily of the Indo-Pacific region, to exchange ideas and views on security and contemporary issues.
Key Discussion Points
Security Cooperation and Collective Strategies:
•The primary objective of the IPACC was to foster security cooperation among participating nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
•Army chiefs discussed and formulated collective strategies to address regional security challenges.
Military Diplomacy and Crisis Mitigation
•A crucial focus of the conference was the role of military diplomacy in mitigating crises within the Indo-Pacific region.
•Army leaders deliberated on the potential contributions of their respective armed forces in crisis management.
Display of Domestic Defense Manufacturing:
Indian vendors showcased a wide array of locally-produced weapons and systems to representatives from 30 countries.
Drone Technology
•The exhibition highlighted various drone technologies, including loitering munitions, UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, multi-payload drones, and nano UAVs.
•Notably, the ALS-50 loitering munition, manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems, was featured, with deliveries to the Indian Air Force underway.
Nano UAVs for Counterterrorism
•The Indian Army acquired nano UAVs, named Doot and Parush, built by IDR Research and Development for its counterterrorism units deployed in J&K.
•The Doot UAV, weighing 350 grams, is palm-sized.
Indigenous Drone Manufacturers
Prominent indigenous drone manufacturers, such as Kalyani Group and idea Forge, displayed their products, including multi-mission drones and UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Artillery and Ground Vehicles
•The exhibition featured Kalyani Strategic Systems’ MaRG 155mm/39 caliber artillery guns with shoot-and-scoot capability, as well as other artillery systems.
India’s Defense Export Targets
•India has set an ambitious defense export target of ₹35,000 crore by 2024-25, reflecting the nation’s growing capabilities in defense manufacturing.
•Export figures have risen significantly, while imports have decreased due to policy initiatives and reforms.
Multilateral Security Partnerships
Chief-of-Staff of the US Army, General James C McConville, co-hosted the conference alongside Chief of Indian Army Staff General Manoj Pande.
Indo-Pacific’s Global Significance
Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar emphasized the critical role of the Indo-Pacific in the global landscape.
Indian Army Chief Manoj Pande Emphasizes Indo-Pacific Stability
In the ever-evolving global landscape, the Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a focal point. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande, addressing the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs’ Conference (IPACC), reaffirmed India’s dedication to upholding peace and stability in this vital area.
The Indo-Pacific region isn’t just a collection of nations; it’s a complex web of interdependencies. These interconnections underscore the need for trust and enhanced cooperation among these nations.
The geostrategic relevance and geo-economic significance of the Indo-Pacific region are undeniable. With 65% of the world’s population, 63% of its GDP, 46% of the global merchandise market, and 50% of maritime trade.
EAM Jaishankar raises concern over “steady increase in Chinese naval presence” in Indian Ocean
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised concern over the “steady increase in Chinese naval presence” in the Indian Ocean and called “to prepare for a far greater presence of Beijing than seen ever before.”
