Integrated commands

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Context:

• Armed forces are looking for a changing organizational structure for the creation of integrated theatre commands.

Proposed Structure of the command:

Appointments:

• Armed Forces are likely to appoint a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

Vice CDS

• The Vice CDS is likely to be an officer of the rank of General or equivalent.
• They will in all probability look after strategic planning, capability development, and procurement-related matters.

Deputy CDS:

• The Deputy CDS is likely to be an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent.
• They will be responsible for operations, and intelligence, and will coordinate the allocation of assets between theatres.

Following are theatre commands with headquarters is likely to be established.

• Western theatre command: Jaipur
• The northern theatre command : Lucknow.
• The maritime theatre command: Coimbatore.
• Central Command: IAF’s Prayagraj-headquartered
• Southern Air Command: Thiruvananthapuram.

Theatre Command Headquarters:

• 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, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), and the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
• Post the creation of the theatre commands, three command headquarters of the services are likely to be transformed into theatre command headquarters.
• The overall plan is to establish three adversary-based theatre commands – one facing Pakistan, another opposite China, and a maritime theatre command to combat maritime threats outside the coastal borders of the country.

Changes in three commands:

• The existing Andaman and Nicobar Command may be subsumed into the maritime theatre command and the HQ IDS will operate under the CDS. The SFC, according to the plan, will continue to operate independently.

Role of service chiefs:

• The three service chiefs will be responsible for raising, training and sustaining the individual services. The three theatre commanders will be responsible for operations.Other smaller steps to bring in jointness among the services at the lower levels:
• These include plans to transform Mumbai into the first tri-service common defense station,
• Set up additional joint logistics nodes across the country to boost integration in logistical needs and
• Streamline their supply chains and have multiple inter-service postings of officers.

Read about integrated theatre commands:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/theatre-commands-46

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/integrated-commands-structure-plan-looks-at-vice-cds-dy-cds-with-clear-roles-9324441/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Discuss the significance and challenges of establishing and maintaining Integrated Commands in India's defense architecture. How do these commands enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in the contemporary security environment?(250 words)