- Jointness of defence forces implies synergised use of the resources of the three Services while respecting the uniqueness of each to achieve optimum results and avoid duplication.
- Jointness can further lead to the integration of defence forces i.e., formal combining of constituent elements into a single structure.
- For example, theaterisation seeks to integrate the capabilities of the three services.
- Importance of integration
- Improve the culture of cooperation among defence forces and promote integrated warfighting capacities.
- Modernizing forces and making them future-ready by streamlining defence budget spending and addressing defence funding shortages.
- Facilitating India to become a regional power and one of the global powers.
- Challenges in integration
- Lack of a Joint Services Doctrine
- Absence of a coherent National Security Strategy
- Institutional inertia of different wings
- Initiatives taken for integration
- Appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff who is mandated to bring about jointness in the operation, logistics, transport, training etc. of three armed services.
- Creation of two Joint Commands, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (A&NC) and the Strategic Forces Command (looks after nuclear assets.).
- Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) to provide a single point, tri-Service, military advice to the government.