Joint Theatre Command

• About
  • The idea behind the ‘Theatre Command System’ is to bring synergistic coordination between the three branches of the armed forces.
  • it aims at bringing separate commands for the army, navy, and air force under a unified command spearheaded by a single commander.
• Countries that follow the Theatre Command System
  • Various countries around the globe already have some form of theatre or joint command in place to bring better integration among their military forces.
  • The USA was the first country to enforce a theatre command system.
  • Russia also started with the restructuring of its defence forces in 2008 and has four theatre commands.
  • China’s theatre command system is said to be based on the US model.
    • Chinese Western Theatre Command covers the region along the Indian border.
• India’s Current System
  • Currently India has 17 single service commands - 7 of the Army, 7 of the Air Force, and 3 of the Navy.
  • Each of these commands is located at a separate base.
  • India currently has two fully functioning unified commands.
    • Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)
      • It is an integrated theatre command that was set up in 2001, based at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
      • It was created to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca by increasing the rapid deployment of military assets in the region.
    • Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
      • It is an integrated functional command that was set up in 2003.
      • It is responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.
• Proposed Joint Theatre Command
  • According to the current proposal, there will be five theatres - Northern Land Theatre (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Central sector), Western Land Theatre (Pakistan centric), Eastern Land Theatre, Maritime Theatre Command, and Air Defence Command.
    • Northern Command will not see any change and will remain in its present form for the time being since it is operationally sensitive as it has China and Pakistan besides internal security to look after.
  • MTC will see a merger of the eastern and western naval commands, besides getting elements from the Army and the Air Force.
    • MTC will be headed by a three-star Naval officer and will also have one two-star officer from the IAF and a three-star officer from the Army.
  • ADC will be headed by a three-star IAF officer, along with a three-star Army officer and a two-star Naval officer.
  • The other theatres planned will be headed by three-star Army officers with elements from the IAF and the Navy.

Chief of Defence Staff

• The Chief of Defence Staff will head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence.
• It will also be the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
• CDS will act as the Principal Military Adviser to Raksha Mantri on all tri-Services matters.
  • The three Chiefs will continue to advise RM on matters exclusively concerning their respective Services.
  • CDS will not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership.
• CDS will be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Raksha Mantri and the Defence Planning Committee chaired by the NSA.
• It will serve as Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.

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