Lt Gen AB Shivane, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Former DG Mechanised Forces, Indian Army
Lieutenant General Ashok Bhim Shivane, a second-generation army Officer, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and joined the Indian Army in Dec 1978. He is the Former Director-General of Mechanised Forces.
Podcast
Overview
The world is changing, and so is the future of war. Nations should stay vigilant about protecting their people and territories. Combat is no longer limited to land, sea, and air; it now occurs in the digital realm and outer space.
Strengthening militaries involve strengthening capabilities on all fronts: technologies, intelligence, communications, and leadership. The Indian Army is the second-largest army in the world, and its soldiers have more decorations and medals than any other army in the world.
Lieutenant General, Ashok Bhim Shivane, joins us to talk about the value of the five C’s for success in any profession and the leadership style that leads to better decisions. He also predicts the future of war, suggesting ways that India can adapt to the changes. Finally, Lieutenant General Ashok Bhim Shivane compares the warfare rules and policies of countries like China, India, and Pakistan.
If you’re interested in the future of war, militaries, and defense, don’t miss this episode!
About Lt Gen AB Shivane, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Former DG Mechanised Forces, Indian Army
Lieutenant General Ashok Bhim Shivane, a second-generation army Officer, is an alumnus of
National Defence Academy, Pune, and joined the Indian Army in Dec 1978. He is the Former Director-General of Mechanised Forces. He was awarded by the President of India, PVSM (2017), AVSM (2016), & VSM (2009) besides Chief of Army Staff Commendation and Army Commander Commendations, for distinguished service of the highest order.
Furthermore, he has represented India at the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Guatemala. He is a COVID-19 warrior with the Government and has actively participated in motivational talks, policy construct, and writings.
Lt Gen AB Shivane’s Journey to the Top
I was born in an Army family and I consider myself blessed because I have learned ‘ONCE A SOLDIER, A SOLDIER FOR LIFE’. I grew up in a system that taught us the values of life and the spirit of love for the Tricolor.
When I was a kid, I used to go to the hospital with my mother to take care of the soldiers. The family taught us how to overcome adversity. There were times when I failed, it taught me how to stand tall. Besides, hard work, failure is also a pillar to success. I got into a habit of introspection about what I did and could have done better. The learnings and challenges of life became synonymous.
What has been your leadership style?
The values of 5 C’s
- Character
- Competence
- Commitment
- Compassion
- Camaraderie
The most important thing is to establish mutual trust and bonding with the men on the field. You have to lead by example because as you leave you have to create more leaders in the journey. This is the art of leadership and for that, you have to be a man of steel, not a man of straw. You got to have a straight backbone, broad shoulders, and a large heart.
Evolution of Technology in the Army
Technology brought disruptions in military affairs. In 1978-79, we used astral navigation at night, and we used the compass to determine the directions, but now we are talking about GPS. We used radio sets and telephones, and today we have mobile connectivity. We had faced a lot of challenges due to a lack of technology. Therefore, it is very essential for the army to adapt itself to the changes.
War of the Future
The war is easy, but the difficult part is how do you ensure total peace. Narratives and perceptions of information shape the war and victories. The definition of war and the notion of victory is ambiguous today. You may not fire a shot, but you may be at war.
War today is in societies and in people, it requires a whole nation approach. The nations go to war but don’t have an exit policy on when to get out and what have they achieved. Is the war going to be silent or active requires a political-military understanding of envisioning what are your political aims and how are you going to achieve them, and the cost-benefit analysis of that becomes very critical.
What are the challenges China represents for us?
- Power to expand your influence is leading from competition to confrontation.
- China’s rise and global realignments that it has come up.
- China’s realignment and getting closer to Pakistan and Russia.
- It is expanding its political influence and growing economically.
Understanding Chinese culture is very important to understand China. Its opportunist attitude and expansionist attitude define the culture of China. China’s strategic aim is to become the world’s number one power (political, economic, and military).
Afghanistan’s Situation and the Role of Pakistan
Afghanistan has been a prisoner of geography, ethnic and tribal rivalries, and global and regional geopolitics. Unfortunately, no one has cared for the people of Afghanistan and their development except countries like India.
Role as a COVID-19 Warrior
When the Pandemic happened, I tried to do something in strategic planning with the government of India, giving my advice, but I did not feel satisfied. I wanted to reach people, so I joined an NGO, KRANTII to create an impact. I was a coordinator at the SOS room and while a doctor on call was speaking to the person and trying to understand, we already had the ambulance, we had the hospital.
Resources:
You can connect with Lt Gen AB Shivane: LinkedIn
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Profile
Lieutenant General Ashok Bhim Shivane, a second-generation army Officer, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and joined the Indian Army in Dec 1978. A scholar warrior with 40 years of an outstanding career in the Indian Army, he has excelled in all spheres. During his service tenure, the General Officer has done M Sc, double M Phil, and PGDCM all with First Class Distinction, besides several military coveted courses in India and abroad.
During his career span, he has represented India at the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Guatemala, was in charge of anti-terrorist operations in J&K from 1997 to 1999, was in charge of Perspective Planning and Future Restructuring of the Indian Army as ADG PP, and finally the coveted appointment of Director General Mechanised Forces. He commanded the oldest and operationally employed offensive formation of the Indian Army – the elite Strike Corps from 2104 to 2015.
