Defence Minister presides over maiden Joint Commanders’ Conference in Lucknow | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Defence Minister presides over maiden Joint Commanders’ Conference in Lucknow

Posted 06 Sep 2024

2 min read

Minister stressed upon the significance of evolving a joint military vision to further enhance integration and synergy among the three Services, hence the creation of functional Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs).

  • He also called upon for development in space and electronic warfare, with focus on increasing the use of latest advancements in AI.

About ITCs 

  • ITCs is the integration of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force to operate jointly in specific adversary-based theatres with defined military goals during a limited conflict or war.
  • It has been proposed by both the Kargil review committee as well as D B Shekatkar committee earlier.
  • It would involve raising the China-centric northern theatre command in Lucknow,  Pakistan-centric western theatre command in Jaipur, and  maritime theatre command in Thiruvananthapuram.
    • Presently, the armed forces have 17 single-service commands (Army and Air Force: 7 each, Navy: 3)

Significance of ITCs

  • Air, navy, and land forces all operate synergistically under one operational command. 
  • Separate the ‘operational’ functions from the other administrative functions.
  • Adapt the contours of future warfare and conduct of effect-based operations.

 

Challenges: Lack of national security doctrine towards jointness of services; absence of a common command, etc.

Initiatives taken towards Theaterisation

  • Appointment of CDS, creation of Department of Military Affairs under Ministry of Defence to promote jointness in procurement, training, and staffing for the Services, etc.
  • Enactment of Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Act, 2023.
  • Two integrated tri-service commands:
    • Andaman and Nicobar Command, looking after South East Asia and the South China Sea.
    • The Strategic Command Force controlling the nuclear weapons.
  • Tags :
  • joint military vision
  • D B Shekatkar committee
  • Kargil review committee
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