INTEGRATED COMMAND

Subject : Security

Context : The next step in defence reforms after the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) would be the formation of integrated theatre commands says Army Chief .

Concept :

• An integrated theatre command envisages a unified command of the three Services, under a single commander, for geographical theatres that are of security concern.
• The commander of such a force will be able to bring to bear all resources at his disposal — from the IAF, the Army and the Navy — with seamless efficacy.
• The integrated theatre commander will not be answerable to individual Services, and will be free to train, equip and exercise his command to make it a cohesive fighting force capable of achieving designated goals.
• The logistic resources required to support his operations will also be placed at the disposal of the theatre commander so that he does not have to look for anything when operations are ongoing.
• This is in contrast to the model of service-specific commands which India currently has, wherein the Army, Air Force and Navy all have their own commands all over the country.
• The committee, which was headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar (retd) has recommended the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands — northern for the China border, western for the Pakistan border and southern for the maritime role.
• Andaman and Nicobar Command is the only integrated theatre command in India, formed in 2001 after the Kargil war.

Current Structure

• There are 17 commands, divided among the three services. The Army and the Air Force have seven commands each, while the Navy has three commands.
• The commands under the Army are Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Central, Southwestern and the Army Training Command.
• The Air Force has Eastern, Western, Southern, Southwestern, Central, Maintenance and Training commands, and the Navy is divided into Western, Eastern and Southern commands.
• These commands report to their respective services and are headed by three-star officers.
• Though these commands are in the same regions, they are no located together.