Tag: Higher Defence Organisation

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Integrated Theatre Commands

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):

 

  1. https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2020/09/16/rocking-the-boat-during-the-storm/

 

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/

 

9. https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/air-defence-command-need-to-hasten-slowly-serving-chiefs-best-to-take-calls-qb1ekn

 

11. https://idsa.in/issuebrief/air-defence-command-kkhera-270120

 

12. https://forceindia.net/feature-report/impractical-idea/

 

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India’s Grey Zone Threat Scenario.

India is a large and most diverse nation with two inimical neighbours.

 

India’s myriad problems provide innumerable opportunities for the belligerent adversaries to exploit in the grey zone.

 

The increased radicalisation in the neighbourhood has further opened up new grey spaces.

 

Grey zone tactics is being followed both by China and Pakistan using different means.

 

Pakistan.

Pakistan is using the low-cost option of grey zone tactics against India by promoting violent extremist groups.

 

These non-state actor groups get funding and training in Pakistan, to carry out irregular warfare against India.

 

The spectrum of anti-India grey zone warfare emanating from Pakistan is fairly wide ranging from disinformation and incitement to terrorism.

 

The grey zone activities of Pakistan include propaganda, false narratives, cyber warfare, and encouraging internal dissent to terrorism, to undermine the Indian national security.

 

China.

China is the master of grey zone operations.

 

This type of warfare is embedded in her philosophy, strategic thoughts and doctrines.

 

China has further mastered the art of converting and using anything and everything into a weapon for grey zone warfare.

 

China practices its famous three-warfare strategy, encompasses non-kinetic means like psychology, media and law warfare, to achieve political ends.

 

China has been using psychological warfare and coercion against India with the aim to subdue India without fighting.

 

Dealing Strategy.

India a large democratic and bureaucratic state is considered to be a weak spot for grey zone operations.

 

It will lose out if does not adapt to the changing nature of warfare.

 

India must prepare to deter China and Pakistan from extreme forms of grey zone aggression.

 

An important part of any grey zone response strategy is to undertake institutional reform.

 

These organisational and structural reforms, need to be embedded in the current structures, in a phased manner without causing too much of turbulence.

 

A word of caution that a change for the sake of change due to peer pressure needs to be avoided.

 

The change should be based on factors like our threat perception, technological threshold, economic conditions and geo-political environment.

 

India, must develop framework of strategic deterrence to deal with grey zone warfare.

 

More coming up on this subject

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

Organisational and Structural HDO Reforms

 

Should be:

Done after deep study and deliberation

Tailored to our scenario and environment

Implanted in the current structures

Causing least turbulence

Prioritised and implemented in phases

 

Should not be:

Change for the sake of change and peer pressure.

To pick so called low hanging fruits

Done in a hurry

Carried out during turbulent times

 

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