A STRUCTURAL REVAMP

A look at the theaterisation plan to best utilise India’s military resources

AIR DEFENCE COMM

WHAT IT WILL DO: Control the air defence resources of all the three services and will be tasked with protecting military assets from airborne enemies ROLL-OUT: April HEADQUARTERS: Prayagraj HEADED BY: Its commander-in-chief will be a top three-star IAF officer

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT: The synergy between the military’s air assets will provide seamless air defence cover, which will be critical to counter the Chinese and Pakistani threat

MARITIME THEATRE COMMAND

WHAT IT WILL DO: Responsible for securing India from seaborne threats and will have army and air force elements under it

ROLL-OUT: May HEADQUARTERS: Karwar HEADED BY: Its commander-in-chief will be a top three-star Indian Navy officer

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT: India’s geographical advantage will be an asset in deterring China in the Indian Ocean

WHY IS JOINTMANSHIP IMPORTANT?

CDS General Bipin Rawat is expected to bring about jointness among the three services by January 2023. This includes bringing jointness in operations, logistics, transport, training, support services and repairs and maintenance of the three services

IN THE WORKS: India is expected to have three other integrated commands to secure its western, northern and eastern fronts — these will be rolled out by

Dec 2022. A logistics command is also in the works

OPERATIONAL CONTROL

The operational control of all the theatre commands will come under CDS, with service chiefs being responsible for raising, training and sustaining forces. Dept of military affairs may be restructured later to allow CDS to focus on theatre commands