The debate about formation of Integrated Theatre Commands has become a hot topic.
Questions that need answers and clarity are:
- Is the concept relevant to our environment and situation?
- Are we blindly copying others?
- Are we learning wrong lessons?
- Is our priority right?
- is the time right?
- Do we have adequate resources?
- Do the accrued benefits outweigh the time, money and effort spent?
- Are we implementing changes for the sake of it?
- Has adequate debate taken place on the issue?
Veterans and defence analysts have written about these aspects in different journals and magazines. The links to some of these writings are below (with credits to the authors and the parent magazines and journals):
2. https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/03/28/defense-forces-joint-structures-priority-list/
3. https://idsa.in/jds/14-2-2020-achieving-jointness-in-war-asingh
4. https://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_VP_04.pdf
5. https://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_AB_00.pdf
6.https://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_NM_00.pdf
7. https://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_SK_00.pdf
8. https://salute.co.in/air-defence-command-need-for-a-rethink/
11. https://idsa.in/issuebrief/air-defence-command-kkhera-270120
12. https://forceindia.net/feature-report/impractical-idea/
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Right on the money. Links were extremely useful.
Hot topic indeed.
Valid questions. Thank you for the links.
The entire thought process so far been questionable!It is obvious that the proposed structure does not factor the changed contours of future warfare!CDS seeks to foist himself as a Commander-in-Chief India,something no other major democracy or even China has created.Theatres(in our case it should be regional Commands) should have alloted assets.Future short swift conflicts will not permit timely deployment flexibility .One MTC is clearly inadequate for the vast maritime dimensions of IOR and IPR.Clearly a non-starter!Much homework remains.
Further there should be no geographic overlap between Commands/Theatres.Joint structures warrant radicalisation(read significant reduction)of manpower.The Army is happily engaged in internal security tasks which should not be their responsibility. The reorganisation of PMF/CAPFs,including its manning/recruitment needs concurrent review.
Thank you for the value addition
Very pertinent questions indeed. Will look forward to Air Marshall’s perspective on the same. Thanks for sharing educative links.