Modern wars driven by AI, drones, and precision weapons cut costs but heighten risks. For India, a two-front threat demands urgent reforms in force structure, technology, and professional military education (PME), as past jointness efforts remain limited.
Structural Reforms to Strengthen Jointness of the Indian Armed Forces
- Shift to Integrated Theatre Commands: There was an emphasis on moving from service silos to integrated theatre commands at the Combined Commanders Conference.
- Empowering Commanders: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing structural and administrative rules, empowering commanders for joint operations under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025.
- Tri-Service Agencies: Tri-service agencies for cyber, space, and special operations have been raised under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
- Modular Battle Formations: New modular battle formations like “Rudra” and “Bhairav” combine infantry, artillery, armour, air defence, engineers, and surveillance for faster and flexible deployment.
- Amphibious Operations Doctrine: The Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations integrates maritime, air, and land forces, though indigenous adaptation of theatre commands remains necessary.
Doctrine and Technology Evolution
- Foundational Doctrines: Joint Doctrine (2017) and Army Land Warfare Doctrine (2018) laid the foundation for synergy and jointness.
- Hybrid Warriors: There is the need for multi-domain “hybrid warriors” capable of intelligence, coding, and shaping narratives.
- Modern Procurement: Procurement and new acquisition also supports joint operations:
- MQ-9B Hunter-Killer Drones: High-altitude, long-endurance drones acquired from the US for surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile deployment. This is a tri-service deal, exemplifying jointness.
- Akashteer and IACCS Integration: The Army’s Akashteer air defense system detects enemy planes and instantly transmits information to the Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network, creating a seamless air defense shield.
- Pralay Missile: A Quasi-Ballistic Missile capable of changing its path mid-air, making it difficult to intercept. It is designed to destroy enemy command posts and airfields.
- Rafale M: The naval version of the Rafale, intended to enhance the strength of aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya
Challenges in Integration of Forces
- Inter-Service Differences: The primary challenge is the persistent differences between the three services, where each seeks to maintain control over its own assets.
- Slow Pace of Reforms: Despite discussing jointness for 10 years, joint training is only now commencing, indicating slow progress
Way Forward
- Embedding Integration and Standards: India’s next step is to place integration and learning at the centre of military power.
- This means establishing a stable and effective jointness that sets common data and interface standards.
- Despite inter-services differences, theatre commands should be activated, maybe with initial mandates and expanding authorities assessed over time.
- Professional Military Education (PME): PME must cultivate technologist-commanders capable of adaptive operations, learning from trial-and-error.
- Civil-Military Collaboration: Civil-military fusion with DRDO, DPSUs, private industry, and universities is crucial for coding, prototyping, testing, and rapid adaptation.
- Industrial Base Integration: Strong industrial base integration ensures iterative improvement and battlefield adaptability.
Conclusion
India’s military reforms, focused on jointness, integration, and modernisation, aim to meet multi-domain threats effectively. Sustained structural, doctrinal, and technological evolution is crucial for operational readiness and battlefield adaptability.