Theatre Commands and Indian Defence Reforms
The concept of theatre commands is a significant reform initiative aimed at restructuring the Indian Armed Forces to enhance joint operations among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The debate over this restructuring plan was evident at a recent seminar at the Army War College, highlighting differing opinions within the military leadership.
Key Highlights from the Seminar
- Air Chief Marshal A P Singh advised against hastening the theaterisation and recommended establishing a joint planning and coordination center in Delhi to promote jointness among the services.
- Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi expressed the Navy's commitment to integrating its capabilities with the Army and Air Force to align with the theatre command objectives.
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized addressing any internal "dissonance" regarding the formation of theatre commands.
The Concept and Structure of Theatre Commands
The proposed theatre commands aim to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force under specific geographical regions, enabling a unified command structure for efficient operational roles. Currently, the Army and IAF have seven commands each, while the Navy has three. There are also two tri-service commands: the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
Rationale for Theatre Commands
- Modern Warfare: The increasing multi-domain nature of warfare necessitates better coordination among land, sea, and air assets.
- Integration for Future Conflicts: Coordinating under a unified command is crucial for effective responses to complex scenarios, including drone and missile attacks combined with cyber warfare.
Steps Towards Jointness
- Cross-postings among the services.
- Creation of joint logistics nodes.
- Joint planning and procurement strategies.
Historical Context and Development
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of the Chief of Defence Staff position catalyzed discussions on theatre commands. The CDS was tasked with promoting jointness in various facets, including procurement, training, and restructuring of military commands.
Proposed Models and Challenges
- The initial plan involved four theatre commands, including an air defence and a maritime theatre command, alongside two land-based commands.
- Current models consider adversary-based commands focusing on specific regions, such as the northern and eastern borders with China and the western border with Pakistan.
- The IAF has raised concerns about the division of its combat assets, emphasizing the need for careful implementation.
Conclusion
The creation of theatre commands represents a substantial shift from the existing service-specific command structures, aiming for improved joint operational efficiency. While there is consensus on the need for jointness, the path to achieving it through theatre commands requires careful deliberation and adaptation to India’s unique defence needs.