While delivering a lecture, CDS called upon the three services to create a Joint Culture as they move towards forming Joint Operational Structures and termed it as Jointness 2.0.
- CDS also termed Jointness & Integration as pre-requisites to the creation of functional Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs).
About ITCs
- Theaterisation involves creating unified tri-service (Army, Navy, and Air Force) organisations that would be responsible for combat operations (as well as internal security duties) in specified geographic area.
- Assets from all three services would be placed under theatre commander as required for executing the task to ensure jointness in the operational planning and greater synergy in battle.
- Creation of such commands will separate the ‘operational’ functions from the Raise-Train-Sustain (RTS) and other administrative functions.
Current Structure of Armed Forces
- There are 19 existing commands –
- 17 single-service oriented commands (7 Army, 7 Air Force, and 3 Navy).
- Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command (in charge of the country's nuclear stockpile) function as tri-services commands.
Challenges in creation of ITCs
- Lack of coherent National Security Strategy;
- Issue of interoperability between arms and equipment of different services;
- Limited resources, particularly with Air Force, to different land-based theatres, maritime theatre, etc.
Steps taken for Integration of Armed Forces
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