Eye on both China and Pakistan… Integrated Theater Command is ready, now just waiting for government approval, know the complete plan

New Delhi : The Indian Army is now finalising the blueprint for the proposed theatre commands for China, Pakistan and the Indian Ocean region to ensure a well-integrated war-fighting machinery at the two-day Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC) that began in Lucknow on Wednesday. With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attending the JCC on Thursday, senior officers told our sister newspaper Times of India that the theatre commands of the three services will take 12-18 months to take concrete shape on the ground after final approval by the government.

CDS prepared the blueprint

Army Chief General Anil Chauhan has prepared a blueprint with separate command and control systems for China, Pakistan and the Indian Ocean region. This blueprint is almost ready. It has been shown to the Defense Minister and other officials. Now the government has to take a final decision on it. According to the plan so far, the Northern Theater Command will be established in Lucknow for matters related to China. At the same time, the Western Command for matters related to Pakistan will be in Jaipur. Similarly, a command will be established in Thiruvananthapuram for maritime areas. This is the biggest change in the country's military structure after independence.

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The Air Force will have to give up two of its commands

This will require the IAF to give up its Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram and the Army to give up its South-Western Command in Jaipur for theatre commands. The Army's Central Command in Lucknow will be relocated. Currently, India has a total of 17 single-service commands (Army 7, Air Force 7 and Navy 3). There is little synergy in operations, planning and logistics. However, one hitch could be that the three theatre commanders-in-chief and a deputy CDS should be four-star generals like the CDS and the three service chiefs, who rank above secretaries to the Union government.

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Four star officer required

Currently, the 17 single service commands and two tri-service commands (Strategic Forces Command and Andaman Nicobar Command) are headed by senior three-star officers (Lieutenant General, Air Marshal or Vice Admiral). A top officer told TOI that a four-star officer is required for the necessary command and control of a theatre as all three services in that geographical area will be under him. For example, the maritime theatre command chief will have the entire Navy as well as parts of the Army and Navy under him. Whether the political-bureaucratic establishment will agree to four more four-star officers remains to be seen.

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The CDS said the three services are taking several steps on the roadmap to integration. It is “a step-by-step process, starting with cross-service cooperation, leading to a 'joint culture' and ultimately achieving integration of forces to conduct joint operations.”