The integration of defence forces and creation of Integrated Theatre Commands
Integrated theatre commands are a mechanism not new to the world is been implemented by the forces for better coordination among them during peacetime and war.
“After the ‘momentous’ decision of creation of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of Military Affairs, the next logical step is the creation of integrated theatre commands,” said the Chief of Defence Staff General M M Naravane. He said this when he was addressing the officers of the Higher Defence Management Command at the college of Defence Management.
Integrated theatre commands are a mechanism not new to the world is been implemented by the forces for better coordination among them during peacetime and war. This is considered as logically inevitable next step by the army chief in his speech. The synergy of resources and capabilities will result in better management and effective control of the borders of the country.
Integrated Theatre Commands
An integrated theatre command will be a unified command of the three-armed forces, under a single commander. The commander of the force will have the liberty of all the resources at his disposal from the three services with seamless efficacy. The integrated theatre commander will be independent of each other and will not be answerable to individual Services, and will be free to use the force in the suitable manner possible under his command to make it a cohesive fighting force capable of concurring designated goals.
The backend logistics to support the operations will also be under the control of the theatre commander so that he does not have to seek anything from someone when operations are underway. The committee, headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar (retd) recommended the creation of three integrated theatre commands — northern for the China border, western for the Pakistan border, and southern for the maritime role.
