Integrated Theatre Command & Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

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 Integrated Theatre Command

  • An integrated theatre command envisages a unified command of the three Services, under a single commander, for geographical theatres that are of security concern. (Ex: Kashmir theatre, Punjab theatre, Tamilnadu Theatre etc… Each theatre contains 200 soldiers (Army, Navy & Air force) with one commanding officer reporting to CDS).
  • In India Andaman only having Integrated theatre command, having Army, Navy & Air force.
Favour
  • Large Size: Unique problem in each command.
  • A composite and cohesive whole: Enmeshing the three Services together at different levels and placing them under one commander for execution of operational plans.
  • Efficacy and Efficiency against the enemy:
    • The integrated theatre commander will not be answerable to individual Services.
    • Officer will be free to train, equip and exercise his command to make it a cohesive fighting force.
    • The logistic resources required to support his operations will also be placed at the disposal of the theatre commander so that he does not have to look for anything when operations are ongoing.
  • Avoids duplication, economy of resources and ensures optimum utilisation of available resources.
  • This will result in combat efficiency. For example, nations like U.S and China have integrated commands.
Arguments Against
  • The US has global roles where it can’t move assets from one theatre to another. India has no such problems of distance and time.
  • We have shortage of military infrastructure. For example, with only 33 out of 45 fighter squadrons (Squadrons - Commander who oversees around 200 personnel and between 12 and 16 aircraft)present, dividing already scarce resources is infeasible.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
  • In 2011, the Naresh Chandra Committee; Shekatkar Committee, 2016
  • The first proposal for a CDS came from the Kargil Review Committee (KRC), set up in 2000.
About CDS
  • The post of Chief of Defence Staff created in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief.
  • The post is created to Promote jointness in procurement, training and staffing for the Services through joint planning and integration of their requirements.
  • Facilitate restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/theatre commands.
  • Promote use of indigenous equipment by the Services.
  • Central government has set 65 as the maximum serving age for the CDS.
  • he Chief of Defence Staff will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary.
  • He would be primus inter pares or first among equals.
  • He is also vested with the authority to provide directives to the three chiefs.
  • CDS will act as the principal military adviser to the defence minister on all tri-services matters. The three Chiefs will continue to advise Defence Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective Services.
  • CDS will administer tri-services organisations including those related to Cyber and Space.
  • Be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister and the Defence Planning Committee headed by National Security Advisor
  • Function as the Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.
  • Implement the five-year Defence Capital Acquisition Plan (DCAP) and the two-year roll on Annual Acquisition Plans as a follow up of the Integrated Capability Development Plan.
  • Assign inter-Services prioritisation to capital acquisition proposals based on the anticipated budget.
  • Bring about reforms in the functioning of three Services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
Challenges
  • Threat to Democratic Process: It is apprehended that the Defence Services will become too powerful and subvert civilian control over the military with possibilities of a military coup.
  • Status Quo: The arrangement of Chief of Staff Committee (CoSC) had served us well over the years and hence there is resistance against - unnecessary change‖.
  • Resistance from Air Force – Fear of converting it into subordinate force
  • Resistance within Bureaucracy: There is said to opposition by the civilian bureaucracy as their control over the higher defence set up would be diminished.
  • Ceremonial Post: There is also a concern that the post may become a ceremonial post without any clear cut roles and responsibility.

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