The Theatre Command System

The concept of a Theatre Command System was first introduced in India by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999, which recommended the creation of integrated commands to address the shortcomings highlighted during the Kargil War. The proposal gained further momentum in 2017 when the government approved the creation of a tri-service command for space, cybersecurity, and special operations, named the Defence Cyber Agency, Special Operations Division, and Defence Space Agency, respectively.

Why do Armed Forces Need Integrated Theatre Commands?

The objective of the theatre command system is to enhance collaboration among the armed forces' three components. This will entail creating a combined command led by a single commander, rather than having separate commands for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The integration of a theatre command enables the consolidation of the resources of the three services under the direction of a sole commander to ensure the safety of a particular geographical region. This single commander can leverage the logistical capabilities of all three services during joint training exercises.

Benefits

Once implemented, the Theatre Command System will offer the following benefits:

• Enhancing troop acclimatization to the assigned battleground will aid them in comprehending the operational necessities in the designated area of deployment.
• Allocating military equipment, including weapons systems; command, control, and communication tools; and combat support elements; will be tailored to each theatre of operations, resulting in the optimal utilisation of resources.
• Comprehending the training and administrative requisites of troops will facilitate specialisation and suitable enhancement of war exercises at all levels.
• To ensure swift mobilisation and effective utilisation during anticipated, brief, high-intensity combat scenarios, equipment can be procured, maintained, and pre-positioned.

Challenges

Along with the above advantages, the Theatre Command System also poses certain challenges for the Armed Forces. These are:

• According to experts, the primary hurdle to effectively integrating the three services within the Theatre Command System is the structure itself, particularly the reporting hierarchy and the organisation of the chain of command. The concerns regarding operational command and control of assets also contribute to this obstacle.
• Proper allocation and distribution of budgetary funds have been identified as crucial factors that need to be addressed in order to establish a seamlessly functioning Theatre Command System.
• Reports indicate that the Indian Air Force is on edge about the dispersion of its assets across multiple theatre commands, potentially resulting from the perception that it possesses fewer resources than other services. Furthermore, it has been recommended that they seek further clarification regarding issues pertaining to operational control.
• Allocating limited resources in this manner will diminish combat effectiveness when crucial decisions need to be made. Alternatively, duplicating these resources for each theater command would be excessively costly, particularly during challenging economic times.
• The cooperation among the different branches of the military may be hindered by their individual preoccupation with managing their resources and seeking a greater share of the defense budget and authority.
• As India has limited prior experience with integrated theatre commands, it may be necessary to make certain adjustments to the approach as these commands evolve.
• It cannot be overstated how crucial it is for India's civilian political leaders to receive unified military advice from a single source. If the three service chiefs hold divergent views on military operations or other strategies, it could place the political leadership in a challenging position.

Conclusion

The experience of the United States, Russia, and China highlights that the establishment of integrated theatre commands must be a political decision, which is then executed by the armed forces. A nation's military doctrine, a compilation of ideas and beliefs, fundamentally shapes its approach to national security challenges and wartime strategy.

To fulfill its intended objective, the new joint doctrine must enable India to expeditiously transition towards integrated military structures and engage in long-term strategic planning to progressively develop military capabilities that align with its geopolitical ambitions.