Context

The Indian Armed Forces has refined the final draft for establishing integrated theatre commands.

• The government is yet to give its final approval on implementing the plan.

Why Indian armed forces will shift to integrated theatre commands

• Integration of Defence Forces: The defence reform is aimed at integrating the three defence services — the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force (IAF). 
  • They will operate jointly in specific adversary-based theatres with defined military goals during a limited conflict or war.
  • The three defence services currently operate individually under their individual operational commands.
• Background: In 2019, the government initiated the reform process by establishing the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and instituting the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to supervise the transition. 

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Theaterization

• About: It involves placing designated personnel units from all three services under a unified theater commander.
• Significance: Each of the three services has its own culture and ethos. With the creation of the theatre commands, their personnel, assets, infrastructure, and logistics would be integrated.
  • Thus, they can operate cohesively to attain defined military goals in specific theatres covering laid-down operational areas.

Key Highlights from the Draft for Establishing Integrated Theatre Commands

• Mumbai as Tri-Service Station: There are plans to make Mumbai the first tri-service common defense station, and to set up additional joint logistics nodes across the country.
  • This will boost integration in logistics needs, and streamline supply chains and inter-service postings of officers.
• Commands & Headquarters: The latest draft of the military envisions three adversary-based theater commands:
  • Western theater command facing Pakistan, planned to be set up in Jaipur,
  • Northern theater command facing China,  planned to be set up in Lucknow. 
  • Maritime theater command for threats emanating from the Indian Ocean Region, it could be headquartered in Coimbatore
• Rationalization of Existing Service Commands: Currently, the Army and the IAF have seven commands each, while the Navy has three. 
  • In addition, there are two tri-service commands — the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as well as the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS).
• Transformation into Theatre Command Headquarters: After the creation of the theater commands, three command headquarters of the services are likely to be transformed into theatre command headquarters.
  • The existing Andaman and Nicobar Command may be subsumed into one of the theatre commands (in the maritime theatre command, as per current plans), and the HQIDS will likely operate under the CDS.
  • The SFC will continue to operate independently, as per the plan.
• Command Leadership: The three theatre commands will be headed by three theatre commanders who would likely be of the rank of General or equivalent.
• Organisational hierarchy: According to current plans, the theater commanders will report to a National Defence Committee, which is likely to be headed by the Defence Minister.
  • There are plans to appoint a Vice CDS and a Deputy CDS. The Vice CDS is likely to look after strategic planning, capability development, and procurement-related matters, and will likely be an officer of the rank of General or equivalent.
  • The Deputy CDS will be responsible for operations, intelligence, and coordination of the allocation of assets among theatres. The Deputy CDS is likely to be a Lieutenant General or equivalent.
  • The three service Chiefs would be responsible for raising, training, and sustaining the individual services. 
  • The three theatre commanders would be responsible for operations.

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