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Group Capt Murli Menon (Retd)
Defence analyst
The Kargil Review Committee recommended a ‘first among equals’ Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) albeit a four-star one approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in December 2019 and not a five-star one, as was desirable in a nuclearised scenario and was expected to enhance the procurement and operational integration of the three services.
But a series of missteps such as pension reforms and theaterisation bode ill for national security. The attempt by the DMA to create ‘theatre commands’ unabashedly promotes turf battles between the three services rather than leading to defence capability integration. The need for India to replace its existing seven each of Army/ IAF and three Naval single-service sectoral commands with five or so integrated theatre commands west, north and east for Pakistan/China threats, air defence and maritime theatres is being proposed without thinking it through.
Defence Ministry notifies ‘2nd positive indigenisation list’
May 31, 2021
Comprising 108 items, list to be implemented from December this year
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday has approved the Department of Military Affairs’ proposal to notify the ‘second positive indigenisation list’ of 108 items.
The list comprises complex systems, sensors, simulator, weapons and ammunitions like helicopters, next generation corvettes, air-borne early warning and control systems, tank engines, medium power radar for mountains etc. to fulfil the requirements of Indian Armed Forces, the MoD said in a statement adding that the second list is expected to be implemented from December this year to December 2025.
Do We Need a New Department of Military Affairs and Integrated Theatre Commands?
What is more important is that we urgently correct the imbalances and imperfections that have crept into our higher defence structures.
Representational image of the Indian Army. Photo: Reuters/Mukesh Gupta.
Security17 hours ago
The recent reforms in our defence structures, beginning with the inadequate and half-baked creation of the post of the Chief of Defence Staff heading a newly created separate Department of Military Affairs (DMA) as well as the current exercise in creating integrated theatre commands are simply not the right way forward for a country of the size and stature of India in general and her Armed Forces in particular.Â