Understanding Theaterisation: India's Need For a Unified Military Command

Theaterisation refers to integrating the command structures of the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy to optimise decision making and resource utilisation during wars and operations, It involves unifying the resources of all three branches under a single commander for seamless coordination.

Illustration by The Geostrata

Theaterisation is a critical reform for India's defense forces to enhance joint operational capability and address evolving security challenges. This article explores the necessity of theaterisation in India's unique geopolitical and strategic context while analysing the structural, doctrinal, and operational challenges that must be overcome to implement it effectively. 

INDIA’S STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE AND LEGACY STRUCTURES

In India, the nature and range of threats from China and Pakistan have changed, but the structure of the forces to counter these threats has remained constant. Each service views its strategic and operational role in isolation, which has led to a lack of synergy in operations. The armed forces within themselves have 17 individual service commands, most of which are neither co-located nor co-purposed.

There are 7 Indian Commands facing China, while China has a single Western Theatre Command facing us, which has components from both the Army and Air Force. The utilisation of a theatre command by China provides them an edge over India as they have the ability to run multi-domain operations under a single commander.

The existing shortcomings of the current command structure mandate that the system be overhauled to bring better synergy in every aspect of warfare, ranging from training to operations.

The United States is recognized as the pioneer of Theaterisation, being the first to operationalize Tri-service geographical and functional commands during the second world war.

The organisation of all three forces under a single commander during the War gave the US a degree of synergy and operational efficiency that the Axis powers could not match. Highlighting the importance and strengths of Joint-Operations.

STEP TOWARDS INTEGRATION

Considering the current scenario, the growing variety of threats, and existing shortcomings, India needs to expedite the reforms for its current force structure. The Kargil Review Committee and subsequently the Shekatkar Committee recommended the Appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) under whom Tri-Service Commands would be established.

Following the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, The Andaman and Nicobar Command was raised at Port Blair to safeguard India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca in 2001 and Integrated Defence Staff was raised in New Delhi to foster coordination and interplay between the three services by providing guidance on procurements, joint doctrines, joint training and common procedures.

The Bangladesh Liberation War was the first conflict which saw all three services working closely together, Air Chief Marshal PC Lal remarked that “The Bangladesh War demonstrated that the three services working closely together were strong and decisive in their actions”, he also remarked that “Inter-Service cooperation was the most important lesson of the War”.

However, Air Marshal Vinod Patney pointed out that India’s first attempt at a theatre commander during the Sri Lankan intervention led to the wrongful deployment of assets, which resulted in avoidable loss of life and machinery. After this, air and naval assets were once again placed under the respective air and naval commanders.

The establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff in 2020 marked a pivotal step in fostering greater coordination and jointness among the three armed forces. The CDS is tasked with driving reforms to enhance operational synergy and resource optimization between the forces.

The current proposal outlines the phased establishment of three theatre commands. The Maritime Theatre Command, based in Thiruvananthapuram, would consolidate all assets of the Eastern and Western Naval Commands, along with select Air Force squadrons and Army formations. It will be led by a Naval Flag Officer.

Two threat-oriented land theatre commands will be formed. The Western Theatre Command, headquartered in Jaipur, would stretch from Saltoro Ridge to the Rann of Kutch, while also looking after CI/CT in Kashmir, and the Northern Theatre Command would stretch from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh while also catering to the Bangladesh and Myanmar borders.

These commands will have resources from the Army and the Airforce with the commanders alternating between the Army and Air Force, which would ensure that the Air Force, despite being smaller than the Army, will get an equal say in operations.

This approach would imply that one threat, one nation, and one command is responsible. The creation of adversary-based commands would lead to coordinated operations depending on the nature of the threat, making the planning, deployment, and synchronisation of operations easy.

OPERATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES

The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, seeks to address challenges in theaterisation by standardising command and disciplinary mechanisms across services. Previously, personnel from different branches were subject to their respective service laws, complicating accountability in joint operations.

This bill ensures unified discipline and streamlined functioning of inter-service formations, fostering better coordination and efficiency.

While the concept of theaterisation looks good on paper, it is easier said than done. There are many challenges, including inter-service rivalry and clash of doctrines of the three services, to be overcome before a final structural map can be worked out. A major hurdle faced by the theaterisation proposal is the decision of hierarchy in the new TC-based formations.

To overcome this many policy makers are recommending that we take inspiration from the US Theatre Command playbook where theatre commanders are four-star officers, but a better idea would be to continue with our current structure of three-star officers of the C in C grade to lead the Theatre Commands, this structure ensures that they are lower than the Service Chiefs and the CDS but higher than the Corps Commanders. 

Another giant hurdle in the way of theaterisation is the difference in operational doctrines and philosophies of the three services. The shift to joint operations under a unified command would require an overhaul in the training doctrines and protocols for interservice operations.

According to Gen Anil Chauhan, the integration of the three services is “a step-by-step process, beginning with cross-service cooperation, implementing joint-training programs, which would lead to a ‘joint-culture’, and finally achieving integration of forces for conduct of joint operations”.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Theaterisation is the biggest reform in the history of the Indian military, it represents a transformative step towards enhancing jointness and operational efficiency among the services. While challenges like inter-service rivalry and doctrinal clashes persist, positive steps are being made to iron out the wrinkles.

Indian defence investments are also low, which must be factored in as we simultaneously try to modernize. Hence, India would need to proceed with caution and make well-thought-out decisions. Subsequent changes regarding joint training commands and joint logistics command would further strengthen the interoperability of the forces. 

The coming year and decades hold great promise for the Indian military, as the government undertakes massive strides in modernising and reforming defence policies. Declaring 2025 as the Year of Reforms, the government has committed to delivering "unprecedented" progress in defence modernisation and policy transformation. Central to this initiative is the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), a top priority slated for completion within the year.

The 2025 defence budget reflects this commitment, featuring a substantial increase in allocations to modernise infrastructure and boost indigenous manufacturing. To build on this momentum, several policy changes could be implemented.

First, the establishment of a tri-service think tank would be instrumental in developing joint strategies, addressing evolving threats, and ensuring smoother integration across the armed forces. This think tank could serve as a central body for evaluating operational challenges and fostering innovation in multi-domain warfare.

Additionally, efforts should be made to train commanders on the capabilities and operational use of assets across all three services. This cross-service understanding would enable commanders to utilise these assets effectively and efficiently during joint operations, maximising their strategic value.

By implementing these measures alongside the increased budgetary allocations, India can strengthen tri-service synergy and create a modern, cohesive military with the capability to tackle a two and a half front war. 

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BY SOHAM RATHORE

TEAM GEOSTRATA

info@thegeostrata.com