CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

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Rakesh
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

Ramana-ji, I have edited the post above. Thanks.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

You can drag & drop the image in a new window.

https://twitter.com/manaman_chhina/stat ... 16672?s=20 ---> Information sought by me on the new badges of rank of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Bipin Rawat, has been denied saying that it would affect the sovereignty and integrity of India.

Image
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Vips »

India speeds up work on setting up Air Defence Command.

India has accelerated work on setting up an Air Defence Command to enhance military synergy and optimally utilise the resources of the armed forces, and it is likely to come up in October, people familiar with the developments said on Thursday.

Air defence refers to protecting the military’s assets from aerial threats such as the enemy’s fighter planes and missiles and the new Command --- likely to be headquartered in Allahabad --- will control the air defence resources of all the three services. It will be headed by a three-star air marshal, the officials said.

After taking over as the country’s first chief of defence staff on December 31, 2019, General Bipin Rawat had asked top officials of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) to prepare a proposal to create an Air Defence Command as part of the military’s theaterisation plans.

Theaterisation refers to placing specific units of the army, the navy and the air force under a theatre commander. Such commands come under the operational control of an officer from any of the three services, depending on the function assigned to that command.

The government expects Rawat to bring about jointness among the three services by 2022. One of the key objectives behind jointness, or jointmanship, is the setting up of theatre commands for the best use of military resources to fight future battles.

The air defence systems in the Indian arsenal include the indigenous Akash, the Israeli SpyDer, and Soviet-origin Pechora, OSA-AK and the shoulder-fired Igla. India is also pushing Russia to speed up the delivery of S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems following border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh.

India is looking at creating a distinct theatre command for Jammu & Kashmir, and integrating the western and eastern naval commands to create a Peninsular Command, as previously reported by Hindustan Times.

India could have up to five theatres to address the country’s security requirements, and the new structures could start rolling out in two years.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by k prasad »

dinesha wrote:Northern theatre command with China should have Navy element: Gen. Rawat
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 601393.ece
Theatre commands will mainly be between the Army and the IAF. While it is the northern border there should also be a small Navy element,” Gen. Rawat told a small group of journalists during the week. Referring to the Navy’s fighter jets, he said, “Can we not bring some of the naval assets to the land borders?”
Saying the naval fighter jets can operate in deserts and the IAF jets there can move to the other borders, Gen. Rawat said, “There is not much of difference between sea flying and desert flying.”
This will require some not-insignificant training, tactics and logistical questions to be hashed out:

1. Who flies the aircraft? Will it be IAF pilots type certified on those naval aircraft or IN pilots?

2. If it is IN pilots flying these combat missions, they will need training and tactical instructions for flying in those terrains, and with the specific ROEs... Flying over sea in a relatively clear area is different from flying combat sorties over mountainous terrains, or with a sharply changing border, in concert with many other elements.

3. Joint training of IAF and IN pilots for joint ops, so there is interoperability during combined ops.

4. Logistics challenges - should air bases inland have ready spares and maintenance infra for these aircraft types, or do they get moved in along with the aircraft when the transfer happens?

5. Whose budget does the expense of spares, maintenance, overhaul, or replacement come out of if IN aircraft are tasked to northern operations under the IAF aegis? Might seem like a nitpick, but replacing a 1000 crore aircraft is not a small hit on a budget.

6. Which IN aircraft get pulled north? Will it be deployed aircraft from the ANC command, or from Southern Naval command or from the carrier air wings? What gets priority if we're fighting both at land and at sea? Land ops or naval Air ops?

To be fair, many of these issues could be already redundant, or easily fixed with platform commonality, etc. But training and joint ops considerations are still important.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

You are thinking like a bean counter.
It will be Navy deployment in the mountain theater.
Navy planes, Navy pilots, Navy budget for maintenance. It's not ehsan. It's shouldering the responsibility.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by k prasad »

That it might be, Ramana saar, but the nitty grottoes need to be worked out too. My only real bean counter point is probably point #5. The rest are combat efficiency questions. How do we ensure that our pilots and machines are at peak efficiency and capability when conducting operations in terrains, formations and tactics that they might not be currently familiar with. Nowhere am I saying it's not a good idea, nor that it can't be done. Just that these are questions to be figured out if it is to be done right.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by pandyan »

saar - when the new broke out, it was mentioned that navy pilots regularly train with IAF and they are infact familiar with the area in the NE.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

So whats next about Theatre commands for CDS to implement?

In 1999 I wrote:
Joint operations

It is essential to integrate the services and the ministry of defense. The Defense Secretary should be in charge of administration and budgetary process etc. In other words a purely administrative capacity. The Chief of Defense staff should be selected and appointed on basis of merit and should be the point of contact for passing on the strike authorization to the strike force command. It is also necessary to ensure that the services operate in a joint manner.

In the Northern and eastern sectors, theater commands combining Army and Air Force units should be set-up. The theater commander can be from Army or Air Force. The headquarters need not be in the same location. This way there is dispersion of command assets. In the southwest and southern sectors there could be tri-service theater commands led by competent officers from any of the services. As a start, a joint theater warfare/command school should be setup in the National Defense College, by combining the existing elements from the different service establishments, which are now scattered all over in isolation.
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/archives/ ... amana.html
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by chetak »

k prasad wrote:
dinesha wrote:Northern theatre command with China should have Navy element: Gen. Rawat
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 601393.ece
This will require some not-insignificant training, tactics and logistical questions to be hashed out:

1. Who flies the aircraft? Will it be IAF pilots type certified on those naval aircraft or IN pilots?

2. If it is IN pilots flying these combat missions, they will need training and tactical instructions for flying in those terrains, and with the specific ROEs... Flying over sea in a relatively clear area is different from flying combat sorties over mountainous terrains, or with a sharply changing border, in concert with many other elements.

3. Joint training of IAF and IN pilots for joint ops, so there is interoperability during combined ops.

4. Logistics challenges - should air bases inland have ready spares and maintenance infra for these aircraft types, or do they get moved in along with the aircraft when the transfer happens?

5. Whose budget does the expense of spares, maintenance, overhaul, or replacement come out of if IN aircraft are tasked to northern operations under the IAF aegis? Might seem like a nitpick, but replacing a 1000 crore aircraft is not a small hit on a budget.

6. Which IN aircraft get pulled north? Will it be deployed aircraft from the ANC command, or from Southern Naval command or from the carrier air wings? What gets priority if we're fighting both at land and at sea? Land ops or naval Air ops?

To be fair, many of these issues could be already redundant, or easily fixed with platform commonality, etc. But training and joint ops considerations are still important.
the IN was active over land in the '65 and the '71 wars including during kargil where they were operating at the cashmere and the rajasthan borders. Not many seem to be aware of this

the IN flew it's own aircraft with it's own crews as it will do in any ops situations.

IN aircraft usually have GPS and inertial nav systems fitted.

they didn't have any problems then so why would they have any problems now.

operating over the sea at altitudes that the IN crews usually fly is no joke and it's certainly not as "easy" as you seem to imagine it would be.

the IN's MATCH role chetaks are fitted with autopilot and military grade communication systems which is not used by the other services.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by k prasad »

chetak wrote: the IN was active over land in the '65 and the '71 wars including during kargil where they were operating at the cashmere and the rajasthan borders. Not many seem to be aware of this

the IN flew it's own aircraft with it's own crews as it will do in any ops situations.

IN aircraft usually have GPS and inertial nav systems fitted.

they didn't have any problems then so why would they have any problems now.

operating over the sea at altitudes that the IN crews usually fly is no joke and it's certainly not as "easy" as you seem to imagine it would be.

the IN's MATCH role chetaks are fitted with autopilot and military grade communication systems which is not used by the other services.
Chetakji, as a navy brat, I know quite well that sea operations are anything but easy (and I never said that it was, btw)... Just that it's a different paradigm from land and mountain operations. Especially in high altitudes, or nape of the earth flying over undulating terrain in fixed wing aircraft.

As for problems then vs now, it's not about 'problems' per se. It's about evolving doctrines of air operations and combined ground-air
operations, and how these tactics have evolved since 65 and 71, and whether the two services have enough interoperability training and operational effectiveness. It's not just WHETHER IN Aviators can be in these operations. It's also about how effective they can be in those situations, and what it'll take to maximize effectiveness.

Like I said, it's not whether or not it can be done. We know it can. It's more a question of what do we need to do the make this happen with maximum effectiveness.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by chetak »

k prasad wrote:
chetak wrote: the IN was active over land in the '65 and the '71 wars including during kargil where they were operating at the cashmere and the rajasthan borders. Not many seem to be aware of this

the IN flew it's own aircraft with it's own crews as it will do in any ops situations.

IN aircraft usually have GPS and inertial nav systems fitted.

they didn't have any problems then so why would they have any problems now.

operating over the sea at altitudes that the IN crews usually fly is no joke and it's certainly not as "easy" as you seem to imagine it would be.

the IN's MATCH role chetaks are fitted with autopilot and military grade communication systems which is not used by the other services.
Chetakji, as a navy brat, I know quite well that sea operations are anything but easy (and I never said that it was, btw)... Just that it's a different paradigm from land and mountain operations. Especially in high altitudes, or nape of the earth flying over undulating terrain in fixed wing aircraft.

As for problems then vs now, it's not about 'problems' per se. It's about evolving doctrines of air operations and combined ground-air
operations, and how these tactics have evolved since 65 and 71, and whether the two services have enough interoperability training and operational effectiveness. It's not just WHETHER IN Aviators can be in these operations. It's also about how effective they can be in those situations, and what it'll take to maximize effectiveness.

Like I said, it's not whether or not it can be done. We know it can. It's more a question of what do we need to do the make this happen with maximum effectiveness.
IN aircraft taking part in such operations will be doing so in a standoff mode well within Indian boundaries.

Except when IN fighters are deployed, if at all, none of the other IN platforms will be doing any nape of the earth work.

They will not be tasked for such work. Their mission profiles are different.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by hnair »

Finally some clarity on the theaters and their demarcation. Also happy that air defense is not being left to each services, the post-Balakote lessons seems to be learned well.

Cross posting :
Vips wrote:India to get 5 military theatre commands, one each for China and Pak.

The Indian military is expected to be reorganised under five theatre commands by 2022 with defined areas of operation and a seamless command structure for synchronised operations.

With the department of military affairs soon to have additional and joint secretaries after Cabinet clearance, the task of reorganisation of the three services under theatre commands has begun with a China specific Northern Command and Pakistan specific Western command under serious consideration. India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat has been given the mandate by the Narendra Modi government to create theatre commands much like the ones China and the US currently have.

According to military and national security planners, the northern command’s remit will begin from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh and continue up to the last outpost Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh , with the military mandate of guarding the 3,488 kilometre of Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The HQ of this command could be Lucknow.

The western command’s remit will be from Indira Col on Saltoro Ridge in the Siachen Glacier region to the tip of Gujarat with its HQ likely in Jaipur.

The third theatre command will be the Peninsular Command; the fourth, a full-fledged air defence command; and the fifth, a maritime command. The likely HQ of the Peninsular command could be Thiruvananthapuram. The air defence command will not only spearhead the country’s aerial attack but also be responsible for defending Indian airspace through multi-role fighters with all anti aircraft missiles under its control.

Currently, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy all defend Indian airspace on separate communication frequencies and without synergy. This is despite the fact that all Indian Army Corps Headquarters are located next to an air base as a result of which there is duplication of effort and wasteful expenditure.

The planners said there is option of extending this to an aerospace command as per future requirements.

India will have only one maritime command with a possibility that the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Islands Command being merged with this . The task of the maritime command will be to protect the Indian Ocean and India’s Island territories as well as keep the sea lanes free and open from any outside pressure.

Although in a nascent stage, the Indian Navy’s maritime assets will be placed in Karwar on the western seaboard, Vishakhapatnam on the eastern seaboard and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With China emerging as a threat, the possible headquarters of the Maritime Command could be Andhra Pradesh’s new capital with Port Blair emerging as another major base for naval operations.

Theaterisation refers to placing units of the army, air force, and navy under a single Theatre Commander. The operational command of such combinations will be under one officer drawn from one of the three services.

“Theaterisation of commands is imperative to integrate resources of the three services for maximising impact in any war. The geographical expanse of theatres in India demands unified commands for strategic decisions and critical outcomes that will be possible in concentrated employment of resources,” said former amry vice chief Lt Gen AS Lamba (retd).

According to senior officials familiar with the matter, all five commands will be headed by Lt General or equivalent rank commanders, who will be the first among equals with the heads of the present commands reporting to them. The task of the Chief of Staff of Army, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff will not be operational but involve mobilising resources to the theatre commanders as it is in the US military.

If the Andamans and Nicobar Command goes under the maritime command as is being visualised, then the CDS will have the Armed Forces Special Operation Division, Cyber Command and the Defence Intelligence Agency under him with manpower drawn from all the three services.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Karan M »

How IAF will manage in a theater command is going to be a challenge. They are too bereft of airframes to permanently earmark resources for each theater.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by hnair »

I think that is the very idea behind theatre commands, to pull limited resources from other commands on need basis. What might take a lot of liaison and paperwork might be quicker. Again wishlisting!
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ks_sachin »

Karan M wrote:How IAF will manage in a theater command is going to be a challenge. They are too bereft of airframes to permanently earmark resources for each theater.
Karan do you know if there is a specific set of problems that these theatre commands are trying to solve down to an operational level.

Have we stress-tested these concepts as well as the IBGs down to the tactical level to truly know what issues come up when the proverbial hits the ceiling.

Also, I am not confident the current CDS is doing the right thing by going for these big-ticket items so soon. If things don't go to plan then the office of the CDS will become another millstone around the forces neck. As I see it these theater command concepts are being driven by the Army...
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by nits »

Gurus - understand the concept and thought behind, North ( china), West (Pak), air defence command and maritime command but what will be the ambit and responsibilities of Peninsular Command
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by hnair »

Still need clarity in open source, but the Peninsula command seem to be the Indian equivalent of American Northern Command, which combines National Guard, Air National Guard, training establishments as well as Homeland defense departments including coastguard, border control etc. And it is supposed to deal with coastal defense and invasion of American mainlands plus closer island territories

https://www.northcom.mil/


But unlike US, the Indian peninsular heartland is not fully immune to hostile forces inserting lethal capabilities. So will be lot more action oriented during peace and war.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Yagnasri »

It is possible that it may have the entire coastal defence, naval base security, lateral waters, SL related security with it.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Adrija »

Peninsular Command would (hopefully) be tasked with ensuring that we don't ever become vulnerable to an Iraq style attack from IOR

So ensuring that SL, Myanmar, DG, Maldives, Seychelles, East Africa etc etc do not ever host bases of potentially hostile powers

Enuf said... don't want to make it any more explicit
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by jaysimha »

Dec 11, 2020
Army headquarters rejig: Deputy Chief for capability development, sustenance soon

NEW DELHI: The Army will streamline procurement process by creating a position which will look after both revenue and capital expenses, closing a gap felt when weapons and subsequent ammunition and spares were purchased. The new position of Deputy Chief Capability Development and Sustenance (CD&S) is expected to cut down procurement timelines and reduce bureaucratic layers that delay key procurements.

Mooted almost three years ago, the new post will see 4 Corps Commander Lt Gen Shantanu Dayal as the first full Deputy Chief (CD&S) when he takes charge next month. “Under the plan, both revenue and capital procurement will come under one vertical. This will result in better synergy, better inter se prioritisation of capability development and streamlining of revenue procurement like ammunition and spares,” a source told ET.


https://m.economictimes.com/news/defenc ... 685696.cms
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

ks_sachin wrote:
Karan M wrote:How IAF will manage in a theater command is going to be a challenge. They are too bereft of airframes to permanently earmark resources for each theater.
1) Karan do you know if there is a specific set of problems that these theatre commands are trying to solve down to an operational level.

Have we stress-tested these concepts as well as the IBGs down to the tactical level to truly know what issues come up when the proverbial hits the ceiling.

Also, I am not confident the current CDS is doing the right thing by going for these big-ticket items so soon. If things don't go to plan then the office of the CDS will become another millstone around the forces neck. 2) As I see it these theater command concepts are being driven by the Army...
1) China has one command facing India. India has 7 different commands all located far away from each other. This theaterization is to bring unity of command. As you see India will have one command against China and another against TSP. In effect, it's the old Western Command and Eastern command but will include IAF and Naval assets.
2) No they are driven by the military of which the Army is a component. These were recommended by KRC report onwards and kept stalling.

Bonus, these large formations' command experience is only with the Army.
So I expect there will be deputy commandeers from other services to gain first-hand experience.

These reforms are to improve matters. Not to destroy.

Don't go by lobbies Bokwas.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by SSridhar »

ramana wrote:2) No they are driven by the military of which the Army is a component. These were recommended by KRC report onwards and kept stalling.
Yes, KRC Report went to GoM (Group of Ministers) who gave their own recommendation agreeing with it. K.Subrahmanyam / GoM Recommendations were accepted but Implementation was deferred because of deep anxiety by the IAF. As a stop gap, IDS (Integrated Defence Staff) was announced late 2001. Much later, the Naresh Chandra Committee, 2012 recommended Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) which was almost the same except that the Permanent CoSC wouldn't have been as powerful as CDS. The setting up of CDS is a true game changer.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by KLNMurthy »

Not sure whether this is the right thread, but here goes:

Defending the last bastion (by Arun Prakash)
The Wellington Experience; A Study of Attitudes and Values Within the Indian Army is a monograph compiled by retired US Army Colonel David Smith. Extrapolating the feedback and personal opinions of US military officers who attended India’s Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) course in Wellington, between 1979 and 2017, Smith offers “analytical insights” into a host of issues, including the college curriculum, calibre of faculty and students, Indo-US relations, nuclear deterrence, etc. for the benefit of US policymakers.
Its merits apart, The Wellington Experience comes at a time when the Indian armed forces stand poised at a crucial juncture awaiting major restructuring, which would enable them to face 21st-century threats. A government directive of December 2019, which created a Department of Military Affairs (DMA) headed by a newly constituted Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), enjoins him with “facilitation of restructuring of military commands… by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/theatre commands”. Even though the government has not stipulated any deadlines, the CDS and DMA seem to be proceeding post-haste with proposals for the creation of theatre commands.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by SSridhar »

Thanks for posting it, KLN Murthy. I would also highlight the following from the above:

It is disheartening to note Smith’s comment about the “utter failure of DSSC to impart a true sense of jointness in its graduates”. This is ironic because the very raison d’etre of the DSSC is to inculcate inter-service synergy and to produce “joint staff officers” who can hold appointments in any of the three services. US officers have attributed the pervasive “army-centricity” of the college and “a single-service approach to warfare” to a belief that “the Indian army is not an expeditionary force” and “inter-service liaison at a personal level” is an adequate substitute for jointness.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by wig »

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/natio ... sed-185002
Warships, jets part of maritime command; contours finalised
extracted
Likely to be based in Karwar (Karnataka), the maritime command will be the sole point for sea operations.
All naval commands will fall under a maritime theatre commander.
It will comprise warships, submarines, fighter jets, helicopters, etc.
contours
Creating theatre commands with elements of all three armed forces operating jointly is the mandate of the CDS, a post created in January this year. The command will not just cover both sides of the peninsula but also aims to dominate a vast area. The Navy assumes its area of influence from the Straits of Hormuz to the west and Straits of Malacca to the east.

Sources said the proposal is to have a maritime theatre commander, an Army commander-level officer, based out of Karwar (Karnataka), just south of Goa. The Western, Eastern, Southern and Andaman and Nicobar Naval Commands along with two specialised Army brigades will be under the maritime commander.

The various elements of Coast Guard on east and west coasts will be woven into the same architecture.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

Rakesh wrote:CDS' announcements on carrier cancellation and MMRCA contest are exactly what the Navy and Air Force feared with a CDS from an Army background. Prior to CDS, the Chiefs were having a field day with the MoD Babus.

Want 126 MMRCAs? Let us run a contest, go through the hoops, waste decades, call Tejas a three legged cheetah, categorically state that there is no Plan B, etc. Cost is just a minor quibble after all. When you can get ready made phoren fighters to make up the bulk of the fleet, why waste $20 billion on the Tejas program?

Want a 65,000 ton, nuclear powered and EMALS equipped aircraft carrier with 57 carrier borne strike fighters? Let us announce it on Navy Day and definitively state that budgetary allocations have been made for this. $15 billion for 57 "phoren" carrier borne strike fighters is an excellent investment for India's security.

What the CDS is saying is not to cancel aircraft carriers entirely, but rather is a 65,000 ton aircraft carrier with nuclear power and EMALS necessary? Would not a ski jump and a size similar to the Vikrant not be good enough? Same with the MMRCA - does the IAF really need 114 "phoren" combat aircraft? Can the Tejas not make up the bulk of the fleet and a smaller number of MMRCA acquired (36 - 54 aircraft perhaps?). Does India need to be a global expeditionary force like the US? Is being a regional power and guarding the nation's borders not good enough? That is what the CDS is stating.

CDS came, then COVID-19 came and brochuritis went out the window. The Air and Navy Chiefs are putting up a brave face, but even they know now ---> there is no money for these white elephant projects.
Exactly the question being asked and CDS is being slammed for asking right questions!
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by V_Raman »

this is quite a revolution - India is getting ready to be a regional power - United States of India - is not far fetched - again if internal fissures are handled.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

There will be no compromise: General Bipin Rawat
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/inte ... 2020-12-18
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ready with India’s new military doctrine
https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news ... I_amp.html
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

Why India needs two maritime theatres of command, not one
https://theprint.in/opinion/why-india-n ... ne/571260/
22 Dec 2020
Bay of Bengal to Arabian Sea, the waters that surround India have distinct geographies and politics. Indian military’s most significant reform can’t skip that fact.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

Don’t rush into unviable theatre commands, with skewed structures
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis ... zS0vN.html
20 Dec 2020
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

Indian military sees highest increase in defense budget in 15 years
https://thecommunemag.com/indian-milita ... -15-years/
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

Rakesh wrote:Don’t rush into unviable theatre commands, with skewed structures
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis ... zS0vN.html
20 Dec 2020

Missed this during the holidays.
CUB wants more discussion and brings in US when the threat is China.
China already has one command namely Western theatre since 2016 while Indian experts were writing opens to continue having the 17 commands. And has replaced the commander. So they already have operational experience while think tank gurus still argue.

Theatre commands were supported in 2000 in KRC report, Ajit Singh Ministerial group and shelved.
Naresh Chandra was forced to cone up with a kluge and even that was not implemented.

Best is enemy of good and delay is worst firm of denial.

Hence need reform today as 20 years of discussion and delay already done.
Sorry Indian worst enemy is still internal.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

Image
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

^^^^ Rest of the above article, can be read here...

First joint commands to be launched by May
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 7-amp.html
17 Feb 2021
Importance of jointmanship

India’s CDS General Bipin Rawat wears three hats — he is the permanent chairman of COSC, heads the department of military affairs (DMA), and is the single-point military adviser to the defence minister. The government expects Rawat, who took charge as India’s first CDS on January 1, 2020, to bring about jointness among the three services in a three-year time frame (by January 2023). One of the means to achieve jointness is the setting up of integrated theatre commands for the best use of military resources to fight future battles. Apart from the Air Defence and Maritime Theatre Commands, India is expected to have three other integrated commands to secure its western, northern and eastern fronts — these will be rolled out by December 2022, and several studies are currently on to finalise the structures of these commands. In addition, a logistics command is in the works to avoid duplication of efforts and resources. The CDS’s mandate includes bringing about jointness in operations, logistics, transport, training, support services and repairs and maintenance of the three services.

The long-overdue integrated theatres will transform the Indian military from a military force to a military power, contributing to India’s stature as a global leader, said Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia (retd), who was heading the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) until last month and has worked extensively on aspects related to jointness. “On account of China’s aggressive behaviour along the LAC and the Covid-19 pandemic, the armed forces will be tasked, asked and expected to do more with less (resources). Hence, it is imperative that the armed forces roll out the integrated theatre commands fast,” said Bhatia, also a former director general of military operations. The Air Defence Command will bring about the much-needed synergy between air assets of the three services, with their optimal application providing seamless air defence cover, which will be critical to counter the Chinese threat, experts said. “While the aerospace domain is critical for deterrence, the maritime theatre too needs integration at the earliest as our locational/geographical advantages can deter China’s aggressiveness (in the Indian Ocean region). Synergy in application of combat power is essential in new age warfare, which is multi domain and waged in many key battle spaces simultaneously,” said Bhatia. India has finally demonstrated politico-military will to address the much-needed theaterisation, he said.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

Gen. Rawat will go down in Indian military history as only next to Lord Kitchener who integrated the post East India Company Presidency armies and reformed it into a professional modern force that won laurels in both world wars.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by ramana »

ramana wrote:
Rakesh wrote:Don’t rush into unviable theatre commands, with skewed structures
https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis ... zS0vN.html
20 Dec 2020

Missed this during the holidays.
CUB wants more discussion and brings in US when the threat is China.
China already has one command namely Western theatre since 2016 while Indian experts were writing opens to continue having the 17 commands. And has replaced the commander. So they already have operational experience while think tank gurus still argue.

Theatre commands were supported in 2000 in KRC report, Ajit Singh Ministerial group and shelved.
Naresh Chandra was forced to cone up with a kluge and even that was not implemented.

Best is enemy of good and delay is worst form of denial.

Hence need reform today as 20 years of discussion and delay already done.
Sorry Indian worst enemy is still internal.
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

Maritime, air defence theatre commands to be announced by June 2021
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 48044.html
23 March 2021
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Re: CDS Appointment & Command Restructuring: News & Discussions

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/majorgauravarya/sta ... 41985?s=20 ---> When Theater Commands were being planned, why did the CDS give priority to Air Defence Command? Why is it so crucial? Lt Gen (Dr) VK Saxena, former DG of Corps of Army Air Defence writes exclusively for @ChanakyaForum.

Air Defence Command – A Bold Initiative
https://chanakyaforum.com/air-defence-c ... nititaive/
31 March 2021
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