Why in the News?
- The Ran Samwad 2025 seminar at the Army War College, Mhow, revived the debate on India’s plan to create integrated theatre commands, the biggest structural reform in the Armed Forces.
- Differences of opinion within the three services, especially the Indian Air Force’s concerns, have resurfaced, even as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan reaffirmed commitment to addressing “dissonance” over the reform.
Key Highlights
- Concept of Theatre Commands
- Theatre commands aim to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single unified command structure for a specific geographical area.
- This system ensures that all resources, land, air, and sea, are available for joint operational deployment under one commander.
- Present Structure vs Proposed Change
- Currently, the Army and Air Force each have seven commands, while the Navy has three.
- There are two existing tri-service commands: Andaman and Nicobar Command and Strategic Forces Command.
- Theatreisation would replace these service-specific commands with a smaller number of integrated theatre commands.
- Rationale Behind Reform
- Modern wars are multi-domain involving drones, cyber, missiles, and precision weapons.
- Integration is expected to improve jointness, resource optimisation, and faster decision-making.
- India is learning from advanced militaries like the US and China, but tailoring reforms to its own requirements.
- Evolution of the Idea
- The concept gained traction after PM Modi’s 2019 Independence Day speech announcing the post of CDS.
- Gen Bipin Rawat, the first CDS, proposed four theatre commands (Air Defence, Maritime, Western, Eastern).
- After his death in 2021, Gen Chauhan initiated fresh deliberations leading to a proposal for adversary-based joint theatre commands:
- Northern and Eastern commands for China.
- Western command for Pakistan.
- Maritime command for sea threats.
- Deliberations and Current Status
- Multiple tabletop exercises, studies, and consultations have been held since 2020.
- Discussions cover the headquarters location, command structure, lead service responsibility, and integration of existing commands.
- Final approval of the theatre command structure is still pending with the government.
Implications
- Operational Effectiveness
- Unified command will enable seamless coordination in combat scenarios.
- Critical in a two-front war involving China and Pakistan.
- Helps optimize limited air and naval assets.
- Shift in Warfare Doctrine
- From service-specific operations to joint multi-domain operations.
- Incorporates new warfare domains: cyber, space, electronic, unmanned systems.
- Aligns India’s defence strategy with modern global military practices.
- Higher Defence Reform
- Reflects the government’s intention to overhaul defence planning and administration.
- Enhances the role of the Chief of Defence Staff and Department of Military Affairs.
- Promotes indigenisation by coordinating procurement across services.
- Regional Strategic Balance
- Strengthens India’s deterrence posture against China’s Western Theatre Command and Pakistan’s joint planning structures.
- Improves ability to safeguard the Indian Ocean Region from emerging maritime threats.
- Supports India’s role as a net security provider in the region.
- Institutional Integration
- Encourages cross-postings, joint training, and logistics nodes.
- Creates a culture of interoperability and resource pooling.
- Breaks silos that existed since independence, fostering a cohesive national defence strategy.
Challenges and Way Forward
| Challenges | Way Forward |
| 1. IAF Concerns: Fear of dividing already limited combat assets and undermining its role beyond “support arm”. | Create a balanced structure where air power retains doctrinal autonomy while integrating into joint operations. |
| 2. Dismantling Legacy Structures: Existing 17 service-specific commands have functioned for over 70 years. | Adopt a phased approach — gradually transition to integrated commands after testing models through simulations. |
| 3. Risk of Bureaucratic Delays: Unclear reporting lines and overlap between CDS, service chiefs, and theatre commanders. | Define a clear chain of command and responsibilities to avoid duplication or delays in decision-making. |
| 4. Tailoring Global Models: Blind imitation of US/China models may not suit India’s unique geography and threat perception. | Design India-specific theatre commands, based on adversary-focused and maritime priorities. |
| 5. Balancing Modernisation with Reform: Theatreisation could divert focus from urgent modernisation needs like new aircraft, warships, and cyber systems. | Parallelly prioritise force modernisation and integration, ensuring that reforms strengthen capabilities rather than overstretch them. |
Conclusion
The creation of theatre commands represents the most ambitious reform in India’s defence structure since independence. While the goal is to enhance jointness, operational efficiency, and preparedness for multi-domain warfare, differences among the services highlight the complexity of this transition. The way forward lies in balancing doctrinal concerns, gradual implementation, and tailoring the model to India’s security environment. If executed carefully, theatreisation could transform India’s armed forces into a truly integrated and future-ready military.
| Ensure IAS Mains Question Q. Discuss the significance of creating integrated theatre commands in India’s defence structure. What are the key challenges in their implementation, and how can these be addressed? (15 marks) |
| Ensure IAS Prelims Question Q. With reference to India’s plan for Theatre Commands, consider the following statements: 1. The Indian Army and Air Force each have seven commands, while the Navy has three. 2. The Strategic Forces Command is a tri-service command responsible for nuclear weapons. 3. The idea of theatreisation was officially pushed after the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. Which of the statements given above are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: At present, the Indian Army has seven commands and the Indian Air Force also has seven. The Indian Navy has three commands. This existing service-specific structure is what the theatreisation reform aims to integrate. Statement 2 is correct: The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is already a tri-service command. It is responsible for the management and operational control of India’s nuclear arsenal. Statement 3 is correct: The idea of theatreisation existed earlier, but it was officially advanced after the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. The CDS was given the mandate to promote jointness among the three services and to work towards the creation of integrated theatre commands. |
