Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSWs)

Q. Why in News/Context – Army to ‘test bed’ niche technologies; operationalise command cyber operations (The Hindu & Indian Express April 28, 2023).

·    The Army has decided to operationalise Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSW) as part of an overall approach to absorb niche technologies and modernise its online networks.

· The decision to have dedicated cyber operations wings was taken at the Army Commanders Conference that took place from April 17 to 21.

Q. What is the Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC)?

·   The conference is an apex-level biannual event that is held in April and October every year.

·       The conference is an institutional platform for conceptual-level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.

Q. What major decisions were taken at the Army Commanders Conference (ACC) ?

·     The ACC had decided to operationalise Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSWs) in the immediate future with current focus on net-centric operations.

·    To convert the five-year Technical Entry Scheme (TES) for entry of officers to four years from January 2024.

·   To identify and train selected motivated soldiers for paralympic events at Army Sports and Mission Olympic Nodes in nine sporting events

·        To double the sustenance allowance to specially abled children of personnel killed in the line of duty through the Army General Insurance Fund (AGIF).

Q. What are CCOSWs?

·   These are specialised units of Indian Army to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities, defend its networks, and counter threats in the key domain at a time of growing importance of cyberspace in both conventional operations and grey zone warfare.

·   These organisations will assist the formations to undertake the mandated functions to strengthen the cyber security posture of the Indian Army

Q. What is five-year Technical Entry Scheme (TES) model ?

·    The five-year Technical Entry Scheme (TES) model currently for officers’ entry as B. Tech graduates has been in place since 1999. Under this, one year of military training is imparted at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya, followed by three years’ B. Tech degree at the Cadet Training Wings (CTWs), followed by one year at the three engineering colleges of the Army - College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune; Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow; and Military College of Mechanical and Electronics Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad.

Q. What is this new four year model

·        It is now decided to have a four-year (3+1) model, with three years devoted to technical training at CTWs, followed by one year of Basic Military Training (BMT) at IMA, Dehradun. Cumulative credits for training at CTWs and IMA would count towards accreditation of B. Tech which has received JNU and AICTE approval in March 2023.

·     This change will also accrue benefits of the availability of more number of officers in the units and address officers’ shortages. Simulator training is also planned to be given a significant push through procurement of 435 simulators at an estimated cost of ₹791 crore this year