The Time For Enforcing Jointness !
Are the Indian Armed Forces adequately joint to face the challenges of the 21st Century ? Logically one can ask, what has been done and more important, what is being done to ensure that the Indian Armed Forces ‘become purple’ (or Joint). Through this article one will try to analyse the best way forward to achieve jointness. But knowing our attachment to turfs, one premise may be fair to assume: that left to themselves the three Services will find it difficult to agree, as they haven’t done so for decades. Therefore, it is time the Government took the bull by the horns and enforced Jointness in the armed forces. What gives us hope is the Prime Minister’s track record of taking decisive action on critical issues, this being a long pending one.
The Present Status
At the apex level there is a Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (the longest-serving Chief tenants this post, in addition to being Chief of his own service). There is also the HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) under an Army Commander equivalent officer, CISC, with 3-star level Principal Staff Officers heading various streams including the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). In addition, we have the tri services Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) at Port Blair and the Strategic Forces Command ( SFC) tasked for just that. The three Army Commander level heads i.e. CISC, CINCAN and Commander, SFC are rotated periodically between the three services. There are also joint training institutions like the NDA, DSSC, CDM and NDC, with a joint capsule conducted for the three Higher Command/equivalent courses. There is some cross representation at various HQs, but this is vintage and not designed to meet the requirements of modern warfare. This is an antique system, with many loopholes and duplication, mitigating against unity of command, a key requirement of modern warfare.
In recent times two initiatives did focus on this issue, the Kargil Review Committee and more recently the Naresh Chandra Committee. Both, especially the latter were not comprehensive enough, but even the diluted versions have not been implemented, essentially because of lack of interest or enthusiasm amongst the political hierarchy as also the stakeholders. Thus, the time is opportune to review this issue comprehensively and more importantly, implement it.
Desired End State
In my view the best way forward is to adopt regressive planning. First decide the end state and then work backwards how to achieve that, in stages, if necessary. To achieve true jointness we need to have the end state based on Integrated Theatres under 4-star Commanders with all tri-service assets under one head. At the apex level should be a 5-star Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with integrated staff to support him. The Integrated Theatres should report to the CDS and through him to the Defence Minister and CCS. The three Service Chiefs should continue to head their Services and be responsible for manning, equipping, individual training and other aspects. The HQ Integrated Staff
and the MoD should also be integrated to an optimum level to avoid duplication and unnecessary interference. In addition, there should be jointness in all supporting streams and structures, such as logistics, medical services and so on. We may also consider a military cell suitably manned with the NSA, for coordination amongst all security and intelligence agencies and for fine tuning plans.
Four Integrated Theatres
Western Theatre responsible for the Pakistan front from J& K to Kutch under an Army General. Northern/ Eastern Theatre responsible for the China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh borders under an Army General. Southern Theatre responsible for peninsular India and the island territories under a Navy Admiral. Central Theatre responsible for rest of India including Air Defence and Space under an IAF Air Chief Marshal. The functional Commands like SFC, Cyber and Special Forces should be directly under the CDS and dedicated to the Theatres based on the operational requirement. Out of Area Contingencies should also be under the CDS incorporating the capabilities available with the Central and Southern Theatres whose charter should include Out of Area Contingencies. The above is the outline but much more detail will have to be coordinated, harmonised and the proposal detailed. Each Theatre will have appropriate tri service components and its integrated staff, but all reporting to the Theatre Commander. Locations of the Theatre HQs can be decided based on operational and functional requirements.
The Way Forward
To avoid earlier pitfalls, it is important that the complete road map and end state is approved by the CCS and if necessary, passed by Parliament to ensure this goes through. A suggested framework for the follow up is detailed below: Appoint a Permanent Chairman COSC (4-star) and charter him to work on the proposal and obtain CCS approval, thereafter move it for approval of Parliament within one year. In the second year, formalise and plans including redistribution of resources between the three Services. In the third year, appoint a 5-star CDS, which should be a rotating tri-service appointment, Whenever the CDS is from the Navy/Air Force, the VCDS should be from the Army. After appointment of the CDS, the Integrated Theatres need to be established over a two-year period, as this will take time to be ironed out. China has recently initiated establishment of its own Integrated Theatres, where manifold inter-service problems are still being confronted.
The model presented above, in my opinion is the need of the future, keeping in view India’s obligations and expectations. The grand strategic vision will need to be complemented by robust organisations and structures in the fields of diplomacy as well as security. The time is opportune for the armed forces to begin the process now. If the Services show reluctance, then it has to be enforced by the highest political authority and through an act of Parliament.