In a significant development for India's national security, the Indian Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, announced that the plan for integrated theatre commands has reached an advanced stage and is ready for government review. This marks a major step towards the modernization and restructuring of India's armed forces.
Speaking at the Col Pyara Lal Memorial Lecture at the United Services Institution in New Delhi, General Dwivedi highlighted the progress made in developing the integrated theatre commands. He confirmed a strong consensus among the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), on the proposed structure.
"We have been able to devise a complete structure and plan nearly everything. I think now it’s at a mature stage to be presented to our decision-makers,” he stated.
The integrated theatre commands aim to unify the operations of the three armed forces under a single commander for better coordination and efficiency in responding to security threats. This structure is designed to address both immediate threats and long-term challenges facing India, requiring a cohesive response from the military.
General Dwivedi emphasized the progress already achieved in enhancing jointness between the services. This includes the establishment of three operational joint logistics nodes, advancements in joint doctrines and standard operating procedures, and the creation of joint maintenance and repair organizations.
He acknowledged that approximately 200 issues related to inter-service cooperation have been identified, with around 30 percent already addressed. A common operational planning process is also under development, incorporating wargames, advanced communication technology, shared digital maps, geo-referencing systems, and the combined use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Intelligence gathering resources are also being streamlined to support integrated operations.
The move towards integrated theatre commands represents a significant transformation for the Indian military, aiming to optimize its capabilities in a rapidly evolving security environment. This restructuring is expected to enhance the country's preparedness and responsiveness to various threats and challenges.
While the government's final approval is pending, this announcement signals a critical step towards realizing a more integrated and effective Indian military.
