Amid the continuing controversy surrounding the Agniveer scheme and the political demand to review the short service scheme, former former navy chief and former chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Arun Prakash, observed that this programme would “degrade combat effectiveness” of the armed forces.
Critics of Agniveer scheme have long argued that the short term of four years creates a “lesser” cadre of soldiers, offers no job security, and does not offer long-term career prospects.
Now, joining the chorus of critics, Admiral Arun Prakash, in a recent interview to The Wire pointed out that the Agniveers are not well-trained and are fit only for sentry duties.
According to him, "at least five to six years are required before a new entrant can acquire hands-on experience to be entrusted with the operation or maintenance of lethal weapon systems and complex machinery and electronics."
He noted that the Army is already short of manpower and this is not the right time for such a scheme. Further, he said the military is not a lab for social engineering or reform.
“Agniveers bring operational handicaps to combat units. There is a difference in motivation level, conduct and behaviour between an Agniveer and a regular soldier. The brunt will be faced by the commanding officers as there is bound to be friction and loss of combat efficiency," he was quoted as saying.
In a recent tweet, Admiral Prakash had asked: “A lot of attention is (rightly) being focused on in-service disparities and poor post-demob prospects of young Agniveers. But is anyone worried about the huge operational handicap imposed on combat units, forced to accept barely trained recruits, fit only for sentry duties?”
Former navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh Singh too had criticised the scheme some time ago, observing, "The only motivation driving the Agnipath is reducing the pension bill."
"The fact that this scheme will degrade combat effectiveness is known to all who understand national security," he had said in a recent tweet.
Former Army chief General M.M. Naravane, had in his memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, admitted that the announcement of the scheme in 2022 came as a bolt from the blue for the armed forces.
"When I had first sounded out the PM about the Tour of Duty scheme, it was more on the lines of a short-service option at the soldier level, similar to the Short Service Commission scheme for officers that was already in vogue."
“The very nature of warfare is changing with rapid technological advances. Why should the armed forces spend precious time and money training Agniveers to handle sophisticated weapon systems, missiles and machinery when the bulk of them will go after four years,” Times of India had quoted a top defence officer as saying.
According to defence veterans, there is an unhealthy competition taking place among Agniveers to prove that they are suitable to be retained as regular soldiers.