Can transit to theatre command system in 12-18 months: CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan today said the armed forces can transit to a ‘theatre command’ style working model within 12-18 months of getting a sanction from the government.

The CDS was speaking at an event in New Delhi where he explained the concept of theatre commands – a single commander tasked to a defined geographical area.

The General said we were trying to separate the functions of the service chiefs who are presently tasked with raising and sustaining the force and also using the same force in conflict.

“We are trying to nominate a theatre commander who would be capable of carrying out multi- domain operation including getting support from cyber and space agencies,” General Chauhan added.

The plan is to restructure the service headquarters and create of new headquarters for the theatre commanders. “we are ready whenever a go ahead is given we can transit within 12 to 18 months from current system to the new one,” the CDS said.

On integration of forces he said, joint logistics nodes have come up now the effort is to inter-link the inventory of the forces. “We are working to have a common logistics node for all three forces,” the CDS said, adding that this year a number of joint doctrines were expected.