Our combat orientation has the world watching

Indian defence forces are ready for joint theatre commands and significant interfaces with the US have been formalized. War or peace, though, India's autonomy stays non-negotiable

India's defence plan of integrated tri-service theatre commands is finally getting off the ground. In March, an enabling bill was introduced in Parliament. Senior officers of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy are set for cross-postings, following similar orders for mid-level personnel. Combat orientation is the big idea. This requires structural readiness for our forces to engage enemies jointly in potential war zones defined by geography. We are aiming for three joint commands to face the northern front with China, our western border with Pakistan and the seas around our peninsula, with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan, appointed last September, in charge. This rejig, long overdue, was held back by the demise of India's first CDS Bipin Rawat in a 2021 air crash, apart from a few qualms among the forces that have s ce sorted. The Air Force is short of fighter squadrons, for example, so these will not be split into theatres, but assigned as and when needs arise. If all goes as planned, it'll be a major defence upgrade.