Army, air force and navy commanders are meeting separately in New Delhi to discuss various aspects of India's defence planning.

The navy conference started on Tuesday -- a day after that of the other two services.

The army conference, chaired by General N C Vij, will end with the promotion board for major generals recommending a set of lieutenant generals.

The security situation in the country will be assessed at the conference, according to an army spokesperson.

"Various issues related to operations, equipment, training, administration, discipline, financial and welfare matters" will be discussed, the spokesperson said.

The conference, attended by all six army commanders and all the principal staff officers, will end on November 1 after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's address to the three services.

Sources said the army leadership will discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, proposals to raise home and hearth battalions in the state to have more local participation in the military, and the coordination problems between the paramilitary forces and police.

Besides, the northern army commander and others involved in J&K will give a brief on the emerging situation in the state.

Deployment of Agni missiles, modernisation of infantry and special forces will also be discussed, the sources said.

Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy addressed the five-day IAF conference on Monday. While he commended the force for its professionalism, he also spoke about the need to reduce the gap between retirement of aircraft and induction of new ones. The IAF needs to work towards a smooth induction of equipment and technologies, he said.

The navy conference began with Admiral Madhavendra Singh speaking about the need for beefing up India's naval strength to influence security and commerce in the seas. He said the navy was hoping to increase its ship strength to over 200 from the existing 140 plus.

The naval commanders will discuss the impending Admiral Gorshkov deal and the navy's efforts to beef up its nuclear capabilities, including leasing of two nuclear submarines from Russia.