India to use state-run foodgrain warehouses for military logistics during emergencies
New agreement allows the military to use the Food Corporation of India's nationwide network of warehouses, silos and transport infrastructure to strengthen supply chains.
India will use state-run foodgrain warehouses to store and distribute military supplies during operational emergencies under an agreement between the Defence Ministry and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said today (12 October).
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in New Delhi, aims to strengthen military logistics by facilitating the storage, rapid movement and forward deployment of rations, supplies and equipment closer to operational areas, according to a defence ministry statement.
Under the agreement, the military will be able to use FCI's nationwide network of warehouses, modern silos, material-handling equipment and trained personnel to support operations when required.
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Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rajnath said the agreement would help leverage existing national infrastructure and capabilities to meet both civilian and military requirements.
The MoU also provides for the direct delivery of high-quality rice to Army supply depots, including those in remote areas of Ladakh and the northeastern states. These depots will no longer need to source rice from local FCI warehouses, according to the report.
Rajnath said the agreement incorporated lessons from previous military operations, including Operation Sindoor, which highlighted the need for robust logistics arrangements to respond to emergencies that could arise at short notice and continue for extended periods.
Modern warfare depends not only on weapons, equipment and technology but also on reliable supply chains, adequate storage capacity, transportation networks and the timely delivery of supplies, he said.
Strategic assessments of Operation Sindoor indicated that future conflicts could begin with little warning, while the growing role of technology in warfare could place India's preparedness and logistics networks under severe pressure, the minister added.
"Therefore, further strengthening our logistics systems is essential to ensure uninterrupted operations. This MoU with FCI is an important step in that direction," he said.
