Day after IAF Chief opposed proposal to set up theatre commands, Admiral Tripathi backs it

A sharp difference of opinion has emerged among the military top brass on the proposed structure of “theatre commands”. Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi today batted in favour of “theatrisation” while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Anil Chauhan, acknowledged “dissonance” on the issue, saying that it will be resolved with openness.

The development comes a day after the IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, cautioned against having theatre commands for now. Speaking during “Ran Samwad”, a two-day brainstorming seminar at the Army War College here yesterday, the IAF Chief had suggested a different format for military coordination at the level of the service chiefs.

Speaking at the seminar today, Admiral Tripathi said, “The Navy is committed to theatrisation as the ultimate goal.” He said it was also committed to synergising its communication and combat capability with the Army and the IAF.

Theatrisation is a military jargon for creating a geographically defined area of operations, with a military commander heading it and controlling all war-fighting assets such as planes, copters, guns, tanks, equipment and manpower.

The Navy Chief said, “We are propelling ahead with the goal of unified planning, having a common (operational) picture and integrated operations.” Among significant efforts being made were jointness and integration, he said.

Speaking on the concluding day of the seminar today, the CDS, who has been mandated by the government to create the theatre commands, played the “peacemaker”. “It’s a good sign if you have sensed some kind of dissonance; let me assure you we will resolve it in the best interests of the nation,” General Chauhan said.

The CDS expressed the confidence that differences could be discussed in a conducive environment. “…it’s the openness to patiently listen to others with different points of view…,” he said, adding that the forces were ready to listen to each other’s point of view in case there was a difference of opinion.

The post of CDS formally came into being on January 1, 2020, when Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed to it. General Chauhan, who succeeded General Rawat in September 2022, today said there was need to “move things faster”. “Be assured that we are doing our best,” General Chauhan said.

The IAF Chief had yesterday said, “We, for now, don’t need any new structure (theatre commands) at the lower level.” He asked the forces not to come under any pressure of creating structures.

He also wanted that core competence of each service be retained in the structure of jointness.

The IAF Chief had suggested an alternative to the theatre commands, saying that “let us have a joint planning and coordination centre in New Delhi. We will plan centrally and de-centralise he execution of tasks”.