The Border Security Force, the first responder against any attack along the Pakistan border, has decided to upgrade its war stores including artillery guns and firing systems for which it has sought a whopping Rs 100 crore budget sanction.
The border guarding force, which has over 20 artillery regiments, exclusive with any paramilitary in the country, has decided to modernise its weapons and armoury on the lines of the Army which has integrated its firing systems with the help of computer—based synchronised technology.
“As part of the modernisation drive in the force, we have decided to upgrade the artillery unit of the force. The proposal has been prepared and will be sent to the Home Ministry soon. This will require a separate budgetary allocation of Rs 100 crore,” BSF Director General (DG) Subhash Joshi told PTI.
The DG said the medium-range guns and other mortar shelling weapons possessed by the force need to be put on a digital and electronic platform, on the lines of the Army, so that in any exigency or emergency the force could respond effectively.
This decision, officials said, has been taken after many decades and was prompted by the new doctrine of modern warfare and challenges of securing sensitive borders.
The force, which forms the first line of defence, is tasked with guarding the International border under the operational command of the Army.
The battalions of the paramilitary are spread across border posts in the states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.