We have talked about what military logistics are how their efficacy can be improved specially regarding the Russian crisis, however, let’s also consider how Indian military chain is different from others and how its fundamentals can be improved.
India’s military logistics unlike European and Western countries are not centralized but instead divided into various departments which has both its pros and cons. The division for men, heavy equipment, and light equipment is all different. The AOC (Army Ordinance Corps) which is the centralized logistical operator follows a multi-echelon supply chain model. This means they not only optimize the quantity of stock to keep but also how much to keep in which distribution center. This leads to a very complex supply chain with strategies required to mitigate risk at all levels.
Recently, India has tried to lead a major shift in its defense capabilities which includes bolstering our operational capabilities as well. This includes verticals from conducting tactical operations to stocking up for emergency response units. When we use complex strategies to enhance our capabilities, we must also make sure there are experienced and adequate people checking its efficiency and end points.
A major reason why campaigns ‘Make in India’ campaign exists in defense sector is because it not only creates jobs, but it also makes it easier for us to source and distribute essentials to our personnel. The success of this campaign promotes young advocates to boost our planning capabilities whilst getting the recognition they should.
India has started investing in Research and Development to manufacture weapons locally with the resources available in-house to counter this problem. With the raw components for sourcing being available in the country the risk of procurement becomes lower and supply chain becomes stronger. Very recently, the light ammunition weapons such as X95 and all have gotten major focus because they are the most used ones in emergency situations.
As I mentioned, in logistical terms, military logistics entails everything from training of personnel to the ration requirements. A new approach that the government is planning to use now is one of digitization and automation, trying to maintain buffer stock using predictive analysis and using Public Sector Undertakings to schedule timely deliveries and acquire spare resources in a timely and efficient manner. This is done through a smart ERP/SAP based system lending better transparency and readiness to the inventory system.
This platform becomes very capital intensive and henceforth comes to play the exporting strategy India has undertaken. This strategy is to earn the capital desired and that is why India is focused on developing more distribution routes and political relations with other Asian and African states.
The distribution routes in the country are very localized in the country and need to be more extensive to extend the supply lines across longer terrain lands and reach the personnel timely. This I feel can be improved by satellite mapping of terrain and bringing more drones and mapping in-house such as expanding the new DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) initiatives taken up. Satellite mapping and other low cruising altitude projects need to be given a priority to find better locations for placement of storage compounds as well as reserve stocks.
There are several factors that come into play, these are just a few of them that I have talked about. I hope to give you some insight into these practices and how we need to improve.
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