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Towards Unified Defence: Exploring the Theaterisation of Indian Armed Forces

About Indian Armed forces

• The Indian Armed Forces stand as one of the largest and most capable military forces in the world.

• Comprising the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy, they collectively safeguard the nation's sovereignty, protect its borders, and ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
  
  
• The Indian Army, with over 1.4 million active personnel, is the second-largest standing army globally and has a rich history of valour and courage.
  
  
•  The Indian Air Force is the fourth-largest air force in the world, equipped with modern aircraft and advanced technology. It has played a pivotal role in both defensive and offensive operations, including strategic airlift, air defence, and reconnaissance missions. 
  
  
• The Indian Navy, with its vast coastline and maritime interests, maintains a formidable presence in the Indian Ocean region.
  
  
• It operates modern warships, submarines, and aircraft, enabling it to project power and secure India's maritime boundaries.
   
• The armed forces have also showcased their expertise in United Nations peacekeeping missions, contributing significantly to global peace and security.
  
  
• These forces possess a strong tradition of discipline, professionalism, and dedication to duty, and they continue to adapt to emerging challenges by investing in modernization and technology.
  
  
• The Indian Armed Forces are a source of national pride, embodying the spirit of service and sacrifice, and serving as a symbol of India's strength and resilience.

Commands in the Indian Armed forces 

• As of 2023, the Indian armed forces have a total of seventeen commands. 
• Among these, there are seven commands each for the Army and the Air Force, and three commands for the Navy. 
• Each command is led by a high-ranking military officer with a 4-star rank. 
• To ensure coordination of operations, the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) at the Service Headquarters level plays a crucial role. The COSC is headed by the senior-most Service Chief, who holds the position of Chairman, COSC.
• The Chairman of COSC serves as both the Service chief for their respective Service and the Chairman of COSC. This structure facilitates effective collaboration and decision-making among the three services.

Additional Commands 

In addition to the commands mentioned earlier, there are also two Tri-Service Commands in the Indian armed forces.

• The first is the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which is responsible for the delivery and operational control of the country's nuclear assets. The SFC operates as an integrated functional command rather than an integrated theatre command, as it does not have a specific geographic responsibility but has a designated role. It was established in 2003.
  
  
• The second tri-service command is the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), which is currently the only integrated theatre command in India. It was established in 2001 with the objective of protecting India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca. The ANC enhances the rapid deployment of military assets in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its headquarters is located in Port Blair.

The tri-service commands, including the ANC and SFC, are led by officers from all three services in a rotational manner, ensuring collaboration and shared responsibility among them.

There are also calls for the establishment of similar functional commands such as aerospace, cyber, and Special Operations commands to address specific operational requirements in a coordinated and integrated manner.

What is Theaterisation? 

Theaterisation refers to the integration of the army, air force, and navy capabilities to effectively utilise their resources during wars and operations. This concept involves the establishment of specific theatre commands or units that are placed under the command of a Theatre Commander. 

These commands are expected to be under the operational control of an officer from any of the three services, depending on the assigned function.

What are the key features?

• Integrated Theatre Commands refer to a unified command structure in which the army, navy, and air force are combined under a single commander for specific geographical areas of strategic and security significance. 
• This concept entails the commander having access to all the resources of the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force, enabling harmonious and effective coordination. 
• Unlike the current military model in India, where separate commands exist for each service, an integrated theatre command empowers the commander to equip, train, and exercise their command to create a unified and capable fighting force that can achieve assigned objectives. 
• In the current system, during times of war, each Service Chief of Staff maintains control over their respective service through individual commands, while operating jointly. 
• An ideal configuration of integrated theatre commands in India could include two major theatres: Continental and Maritime, taking into account the country's geographical characteristics. 
• The primary objective of this system is to place the resources of all three services under the command of the theatre commander, allowing for integrated planning and coordinated application to accomplish assigned tasks within the shortest possible time frame.
• The Theatre Commander assumes sole responsibility for the integrated planning and coordination of operations.
  
  
• Ideally, India may have two main theatre configurations: one for land operations and another for maritime operations.
  
  
• The primary goal of integrated theatre commands is to enable seamless planning and coordination, ensuring that all resources are utilised optimally to achieve the assigned objectives within a shorter timeframe.
  
  
• The theatre commander holds the responsibility for the integrated planning and execution of operations.
  
  
• This approach enhances the effectiveness and readiness of the armed forces, ultimately bolstering India's security and defence capabilities.
  
  
  

Theaterisation in other militaries

• Many prominent militaries, such as the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, adopted the theatre command concept to facilitate seamless integration among their land, sea, and air forces, leading to improved coordination and response capabilities.
  

Need for Integrated Theatre Commands 

The formation of integrated theatre commands serves several important purposes. The recommendations made by the Shekatkar Committee and the Kargil Review Committee highlight some of these key reasons. Here are the main needs for integrated theatre commands:

1. Enhanced Coordination: Integrated theatre commands bring together the capabilities and resources of multiple services under a single commander. This promotes seamless coordination and synergy among the army, navy, and air force, allowing for more effective and synchronised operations. By breaking down silos and promoting joint planning and execution, integrated theatre commands improve overall operational efficiency.
   
   
2. Improved Strategic Response: Geographically defined theatre commands provide a comprehensive approach to address specific security concerns. By establishing commands focused on specific borders or maritime roles, such as the western, northern, and southern commands, the armed forces can develop specialized strategies and response mechanisms tailored to the unique challenges and threats in those regions.
   
   
3. Optimal Resource Utilisation: Integrated theatre commands enable the optimal utilisation of resources across services. By pooling together assets, personnel, and logistics, the armed forces can maximise their operational capabilities and achieve economies of scale. This ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, avoiding duplication and wastage.
   
   
4. Streamlined Decision-Making: With integrated theatre commands, the decision-making process becomes more streamlined and efficient. By having a single commander responsible for the entire theatre, operational decisions can be made quickly, without the need for coordination among multiple service-specific commands. This facilitates faster responses to emerging situations and enables timely execution of military operations.
   
   
5. Lessons from Past Conflicts: The recommendations made by the Kargil Review Committee, which followed the Kargil War, recognized the need for joint theatre commands. The committee's insights and analysis of the conflict emphasized the advantages of integrating the services and improving inter-service coordination to avoid intelligence and operational gaps.

Overall, integrated theatre commands provide a framework for integrated planning, coordinated operations, and effective utilisation of resources, ultimately enhancing the overall operational capability and readiness of the armed forces.

Challenges to Theaterisation

Implementing integrated theatre commands comes with its own set of challenges, as outlined below:

1. Command Structure: Determining the command structure within tri-services and joint theatre command configurations can be complex. Questions arise regarding reporting hierarchies and operational command over personnel and machinery. Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of service chiefs and theatre commanders is crucial for effective implementation.
   
   
2. Resource Constraints in the Indian Air Force (IAF): The IAF currently faces a shortage of resources. With only 31 operational squadrons out of a sanctioned strength of 42, it becomes challenging for the IAF to permanently station assets within a specific command with territorial boundaries. Addressing this resource shortage is essential to ensure the operational effectiveness of integrated theatre commands.
   
   
3. Inter-Services Competition: Each service in the armed forces tends to prioritise its own assets and strives for a larger share of the defence budget and influence. This inter-services competition can hinder the seamless integration and synergy among the services. Overcoming this competition and fostering a collaborative approach is necessary to ensure the success of integrated theatre commands.
   
   
4. Limited Experience: India has relatively limited experience in operating integrated theatre commands. As these commands evolve, it is expected that some course corrections and adjustments may be required. The learning curve and the need to adapt to new structures and processes could pose challenges during the initial stages of implementation.

Addressing these challenges requires careful planning, effective communication, and a shared commitment among the services and stakeholders involved. Resources need to be allocated appropriately, inter-services coordination fostered, and lessons learned from experiences with integrated theatre commands to facilitate their successful implementation and functioning in India's defence framework.

Way forward 

Moving forward, it is imperative for the Indian military to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century by acquiring the necessary hardware, manpower, and efficient structures. The way ahead lies in integrated force development and operations under a unified command.

While integrated theatre commands do not offer a complete solution to all military shortcomings, they play a vital role in improving and bringing clarity and efficiency to the military's functioning. They serve as a crucial component within the overall organisational structure, aiming to enhance capabilities and optimise resource utilisation.

To ensure successful implementation of integrated theatre commands, the following steps can be considered:

1. Clearly Define Mandate: Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and mandates for each integrated theatre command. Provide a well-defined reporting and operational command structure to eliminate ambiguity and facilitate effective decision-making.
2. Allocate Resources Effectively: Address resource constraints within the armed forces, particularly in areas experiencing shortages. Proper allocation of resources, including equipment, personnel, and infrastructure, is essential for the seamless functioning of integrated theatre commands.
3. Promote Inter-Service Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration and synergy among the services. Encourage joint training exercises, the exchange of best practices, and cross-service cooperation to build trust and enhance interoperability.
4. Learn from Experience: Continuously learn from the implementation of integrated theatre commands. Monitor and evaluate their effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments based on experiences and feedback.
5. Raise Public Awareness: Educate the public and stakeholders about the rationale and benefits of integrated theatre commands. Promote understanding and garner support for these structural reforms to ensure their long-term sustainability.

By focusing on these aspects, India can further strengthen its military capabilities and effectively respond to evolving security challenges. Integrated theatre commands, when implemented efficiently, can significantly enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian armed forces.