Theaterization

What is Integrated Theatre Command (TC)?

• It is a military structure which seeks to integrate the capabilities of the three services– army, air force and navy– in order to optimally utilize their resources for wars and operations.
• These ‘unified combat commands’ are organized either on a geographical basis (with a defined mission in a specific ‘area of responsibility’ somewhere on the globe) or on a functional basis.
• Almost all major countries like China, Russia, the US, the UK and France work on a theatre command concept. For example- China’s Western Theatre Command looks after the entire borders with India.

What is the existing command structure in India?

• India has 17 single service commands and only two tri-service commands.
• Single Service Command: The 17 single service commands are divided as- Army – 7 commands; Airforce – 7 commands; Navy – 3 commands.
• Tri-Service Command: The two tri-service commands are- Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), and The Strategic Force Command (SFC). The Andaman and Nicobar command is a full-fledged command raised as a tri-service command in 2001. The Strategic Force Command (SFC) handles nuclear weapons.

What are the benefits of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC)?

1. Increased efficiency: It will lead to rationalization of war fighting resources, and efficiency of executions resulting in an integrated action to counter threats.
2. Rationalization of the command structure: The present command structure in the Indian military is pretty uneven. The Indian Army has seven commands, while a much smaller Indian Air Force has a similar number of commands and the Indian Navy has three commands. This structure will be rationalized under the theatre command concept.
3. Effective neutralization of Chinese threat: China’s Western Theater Command looks after the entire borders with India, unlike India where it has multiple Commands and structures to respond with different officers at the top.
4. Cost-effective in the long run: Theaterization will help in better planning and military response and also bring down costs. While the cost may go up in the immediate future since all theaters would have to be armed with sufficient systems, it will prove to be cost-effective in the long term as all acquisitions will be a unified one.
5. Operational Freedom: The integrated theatre commander will not be answerable to individual Services, and will be free to train, equip and exercise his command to make it a cohesive fighting force capable of achieving designated goals.

What are the Challenges in the Establishment of Integrated Theatre Command in India?

1. Knowledge Gap at the Top: The Theatre Commander will command forces from all three services, but he or she is likely to have operational experience in at most two of them. This may create a knowledge gap at the highest level of command, which could prove critical during fast-paced, multi-domain conflicts such as Operation Sindoor (2025).
2. Inter-Service Competition: The intense focus of each service on its own assets and influence can hinder the creation of synergy among the services.
3. Massive funding: Creation of infrastructure for the Theatre commands will require huge amounts of funding.
4. Different service cultures: The service culture and way of functioning of the three services is very different. The Indian Army has regimental affiliations and is bound by its legacy. Merging services with unique values & cultures is a challenge & finding the right mix of service culture remains a challenge.
5. Perception of Army Dominance: There are concerns that the integration of the commands may perpetuate the perceived dominance of the army and provide it with greater operational control.
6. Infrastructure and Logistical coordination issues: Coordinating and synchronizing the infrastructure and logistics requirements across different services could be complex and resource-intensive.
7. Lack of National Security Strategy (NSS): Many retired military professionals have criticised implementing theatre commands without having a coherent National Security Strategy (NSS).
8. Slower Decision Making: The CDS and Vice CDS remain between the Theatre Commander and the Raksha Mantri. Although direct reporting is envisaged during combat, shifting from peacetime command practices may be difficult, potentially delaying decisions during fast-paced, high-intensity military operations.
9. Delay in Implementation: While China established Theatre Commands in about two years and the US evolved its system over a decade, India has spent nearly 25 years debating the reform. The greater challenge lies not in the structure itself, but in changing institutional mindsets.

What Should be the Way Forward?

1. A supportive ecosystem: In order for Theatre Commands to be effective, there needs to be a supporting ecosystem. India still remains the 2nd largest arms importer in the world. Hence, indigenous technology and hardware by self-reliance should be a priority.
2. Managing internal & external security: There needs to be an assessment of how the internal and external security will be managed under the theatre commands. It is because there are lakhs of paramilitary personnel and the Indian Coast Guard.
3. Parliament’s role: The legislature needs to play a far more proactive role. A Dedicated Standing Committee of Parliament should be created. It needs to be staffed with military advisers and other professionals to independently monitor the transition very minutely.
4. Geography-based theatres: Keeping in mind the changing nature of threats, India can also aim for four geography-based theatres—Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western—each equipped to use land, sea, air, space, and cyber power to handle all threats in their areas.
5. Talent based appointments: No theatre should ‘belong’ to any service, and command appointments should be decided based on talent and experience in joint operations.
6. Clear working out of Budgetary allocations: Budgetary allocations and the distribution of funds need to be clearly worked out to enable the setting up of a seamless theatre command system
7. Modular structure: In the theaterization debate, India must not forget to modularize its armed forces. The present big hierarchical formations need to be divided into many small networked brigades. Multiple studies have shown that these are superior to the division-based structure in terms of deployability, employability, and sustainability.

Conclusion

Integrated Theatre Commands can transform India’s armed forces into a joint, agile and multi-domain combat force capable of addressing future security challenges. Their success will depend on a National Security Strategy, indigenous defence capabilities, and seamless inter-service integration. With sustained reforms and political commitment, theaterization can significantly strengthen India’s deterrence, warfighting capability, and strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.

Question for Practise:

The Integrated Theatre Command (ITC) system represents a major shift in India’s higher defence management. Discuss the significance of theaterization for India’s national security. Also examine the challenges in its effective implementation.

Source: The Hindu