Maroc - EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 09/Sep 23:43

Theaterization In India: Streamlining Defence And Enhancing Synergy – Analysis

On Thursday (September 5), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the maiden Joint Commanders’ Conference in Lucknow. He stressed the need for coordination among the three Services to meet future challenges. He emphasized the necessity of evolving a coordinated military vision and preparing for various challenges the country may face in future wars, while stressing how important synergized, swift and proportionate responses to provocations were. In line with the conference theme, ‘Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming the Armed Forces’, he mentioned that India was a peace-loving nation and that its military needed to be prepared for war for the purpose of maintaining the peace. Singh also stressed the need for a broader and deeper analysis by the top military leadership in view of the situation along India’s northern border and in India’s neighbouring nations for maintaining peace in the region. Coordination Among India’s Armed Forces The appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and establishment of a Department of Military Affairs (DMA) are important steps towards better coordination and improvement of India’s armed forces. These changes will help bring all branches of the military together and enhance India’s overall defence capabilities. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force currently have separate commands in different regions of India. However, a new Theatre Command will be in charge of joint planning and coordinated operations. This means that all branches of the military will work together more closely to achieve common goals. The proposal put forward was to establish three integrated Theatre Commands—one for the northern region bordering China, one for the western region bordering Pakistan and one for maritime operations in the southern area. Concept of Integrated Theatre Command An Integrated Theatre Command involves consolidating the assets of the army, navy and air force under one leader to protect a specific geographical region. The idea of Theatre Commands, seen in such countries as China and the United States, was recommended as a potential strategy by the military reforms commission led by Lt-General (retd) DB Shekatkar. Concept of Theatre Commands a Recent Development? Many have recommended that India should create a unified command for its army, navy and air force. This suggestion came after the Kargil conflict. The Air Defence Command was expected to be set up by end-2020, as predicted by the late Gen. Rawat in early-2020. However, various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, delayed the process. Existing Commands in India There are currently 17 Commands in the Indian armed forces and each Command is led by a four-star military commander: The army consists of seven Commands: Northern, Eastern, Southern, Western, Central, South-Western and Army Training Command The air force is made up of seven Commands: Western, Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Central, Training and Maintenance The navy comprises three Commands: Western, Eastern and Southern An Overview of India’s Tri-Services Commands India operates two main tri-Services commands. The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) was established in 2001 as a fully operational tri-Service command. The second is the Strategic Forces Command, which is responsible for managing the country’s nuclear arsenal. Andaman & Nicobar Command: The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) was created in 2001 as a fully integrated Command across all three military branches. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), on the other hand, is tasked with overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons programme. Strategic Forces Command: The SFC, established on January 4, 2003, is in charge of managing, and overseeing, the country’s stockpile of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. The Integrated Theatre Commands: Significance The purpose of the Theatre Command system is to enhance collaboration among the three branches of the military. Instead of maintaining three distinct Commands for all the three Services, a unified Command will be created under a single commander. A unified Theatre Command allows for the pooling of resources from the three Services under one Commander to protect a particular geographic region. The Commander can utilize the logistics of all three Services during joint training exercises. Helping troops adjust to the specific battle zone will make it easier for them to understand what needs to be done in that particular area. The way military equipment is spread out in a specific battle zone will be tailored to that area, making sure that resources are used efficiently. Recognizing what training and administrative support the troops need will help them specialize in, and enhance, their practice of war exercises at every level. To quickly prepare, and effectively use, equipment for short, intense combat situations in future, it can be bought, maintained and strategically placed in advance. And the Obstacles to Having Integrated Theatre Command Experts say the main challenge of an integrated Theatre Command is figuring out who reports to whom and how the chain of command is set up. This includes concerns about controlling, and commanding, assets effectively. In order to establish a smooth Theatre Command system, it is important to properly plan, and allocate, budgets and finances. Reports suggest that the Indian Air Force is worried about its assets being spread across multiple Theatre Commands, as it is believed to have limited resources. It is recommended to seek further clarification on matters concerning operational control. Splitting limited resources will lower combat effectiveness when critical decisions need to be made. Alternatively, these resources will need to be duplicated for each Theatre Command, which will be costly, particularly during challenging economic conditions. Cooperation between the Services could be affected by each Service’s focus on managing its own resources and striving to secure a larger share of the defence budget and authority. As India gains more experience with its Integrated Theatre Command, adjustments may be needed as these Commands evolve. It is crucial for India's civilian political leaders to receive unified military advice from a single source. Differing perspectives from the three Services chiefs on military operations or strategies could create challenges for the political leadership. Recent Developments in India’s Move Towards Theaterisation 1. Proposal for Establishing a National Defence Committee There is a proposal to create Theatre Commanders under a National Defence Committee, which will, possibly, be led by the Defence Minister. This move aims to improve coordination and streamline military operations 2. The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control, and Discipline) Act of 2023 a. The organizational framework for establishing integrated Theatre Commands has been finalized The armed forces have completed the structure for setting up Integrated Theatre Commands The plan may be adjusted once it receives approval from the government b. The appointment of a Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) The Vice-CDS is expected to be an officer holding the rank of General or equivalent He is anticipated to oversee strategic planning, capability development and matters related to procurement c. The appointment of a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) The Deputy CDS is expected to be an officer of the rank of Lieutenant-General or equivalent He will be in charge of overseeing operations, managing intelligence and coordinating the distribution of military assets across different theatres d. Creation of commands The proposal suggests setting up of the Western Theatre Command headquarters in Jaipur, where the army’s South Western Command is already based The Northern Theatre Command is expected to be located in Lucknow The Maritime Theatre Command is likely to be based in Coimbatore, involving the Indian Air Force’s Central Command, headquartered in Prayagraj (UP state), formerly known as Allahabad and the Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram Previously, there were plans to establish the Maritime Theatre Command headquarters in Karwar e. Plan to Establish Three Adversary-Focused Theatre Commands The primary goal is to create three Theatre Commands focused on specific adversaries: 1. One Command focused on Pakistan 2. Another Command aimed at countering China 3. A Maritime Command to address threats beyond the country’s coastal borders f. Role of the three Services chiefs The three Service chiefs will be in charge of raising, training and maintaining their respective branches of military It is unclear if they will keep some operational duties, as the Theatre Commanders will handle all operations g. No additional manpower is likely to be enrolled No extra personnel are expected to be recruited for the creation of Theatre Commands Instead, existing staff will be realigned within organizations to meet the needs of the Commands