Joint 'Theatre Commands' of the Defence Forces is the need of the hour: General Naravane

Secunderabad: – After selecting the Chief of Defence Staff for all the three defence forces, the creation of Theatre Commands has become the need of the hour. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane stated that the formation of the Theatre Command would prove to be a significant reform in the defence forces to achieve coordination of the capabilities and readiness of the three defence forces. General Naravane underlined that the formation of the Theatre Command is essential to fight a modern war. The statements of the Army Chief indicate that therefore, the defence forces are exploring newer options for synergised operations of the three defence forces.

India is a country with the second-largest army in the world. Indian defence forces have 1.3 million personnel, and the concept had already been presented that for coordinating such huge numbers, Theatre Commands are a necessity. While the war strategies and techniques are changing, there is a need to pay more attention to the space command and space warfare. In this scenario, the issue of reforms in the defence forces had been raised in the meeting of the defence ministry and the three defence forces.

A few months ago, for the first time, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was appointed, the Department of Military Affairs was formed, and important steps were taken in the direction of the Space Command in India. These are considered to be vital strategic decisions taken in respect of the modern war techniques, but no stand had been taken regarding the Theatre Command. The Army Chief presented his perspective regarding the Theatre command while speaking at a function organised at the College of Defence Management and Bison Division.

The Army Chief clarified that the fundamental concept behind the Theatre Command in fulfilling the requirements of modern warfare based on integrated planning and operations under a unified leadership. Army Chief General Naravane informed that in the Theatre Command, units of the defence forces would be functioning under the unified leadership instead of the chiefs of the respective defence wings. The Army Chief said that he was very excited regarding the Theatre Command and expressed confidence that this will establish synergy in the three defence forces and will produce excellent results in the future wars. General Naravane said that it would take some time for the Theatre Commands to be formed.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of this year, CDS General Bipin Rawat had made an important announcement regarding the Theatre Commands. The CDS underlined that five Theatre Commands are necessary for the security of the country. General Rawat had said that there would be a separate Theatre Command for maritime security.