• UGI USER
  • May 16, 2024
  • 20 Likes
  • 1 Comments

CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (CDS) IN INDIA’S DEFENCE FRAMEWORK

Syllabus:

GS 3:

  • Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.
  • Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

Why in the News?

The article discusses recent developments and challenges in restructuring India’s military leadership, focusing on the appointment of new roles such as the Vice Chief of Defence Staff and the ongoing debate over integrated theatre commands.

Source: ToI

Misconceptions and Implementation of the CDS

  • Complex Issue: Media reports suggest the complex issue of restructuring the Indian military into integrated theatre commands (ITCs) is gaining traction with the proposed appointments of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and a Deputy CDS.
  • Cautious Progress: While these developments are cautiously welcomed, an official announcement will provide more details on the role of the CDS in India’s higher defence management.
  • Jointness Challenge: Lack of appropriate jointness among the three armed forces has been a longstanding structural issue, which Prime Minister Modi attempted to address.
  • Bold Initiative: The announcement of the CDS post in August 2019 was seen as a bold and welcome initiative aimed at enhancing jointness among the armed forces.
  • Daunting Role: The CDS was given a multifaceted role, acting as the first among equals with other service chiefs, Secretary to the Government in the Ministry of Defence, and Principal Adviser to the Defence Minister on inter-service issues.
About Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

Background and Creation

  • Recommendation: The post of CDS was first recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) following the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.
  • Integrated Defence Staff: In 2002, the government established the Integrated Defence Staff to eventually serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.
  • Naresh Chandra Committee: In 2012, this committee recommended a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a compromise to address concerns over the CDS.
  • Official Creation: The CDS post was officially created in 2019 based on recommendations from a committee of defence experts led by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
  • First Appointment: General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS on December 31, 2019.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Department of Military Affairs: The CDS heads the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) within the Ministry of Defence.
  • Single-Point Adviser: The CDS serves as the single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister on matters involving all three services.
  • Prioritizing Procurement: As Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the CDS prioritizes inter-service procurement decisions.
  • Authority and Directives: The CDS can provide directives to the three service chiefs but does not have command authority over any of the forces.
  • Advisory Role: The CDS is first among equals, holds the rank of Secretary within the Department of Defence, and his powers are limited to the revenue budget. He also advises the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

Evolution and Setbacks of the CDS Role

  • Tragic Start: General Bipin Rawat, the first CDS, tragically died in an air accident in December 2021, leaving many of his policies in limbo.
  • Delayed Appointment: The Modi government took nine months to appoint Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd) as the second CDS in October 2022, an unprecedented and controversial decision.
  • Policy Stagnation: Since then, there has been considerable internal deliberation but little tangible progress on the operational front towards the end of Modi 2.0.
  • Current Structure: If India were to face a war now, the existing command and control structures, with the three service chiefs at the apex, would have to manage the situation.
  • Potential Changes: New posts at higher levels are being envisaged to help the CDS achieve the larger objective of enhancing jointness and improving combat capability.

Challenges and Opportunities in Restructuring

  • Perplexing Details: The concept of a Vice CDS in four-star rank and the possible restructuring to include theatre commanders of similar rank needs clarification.
  • Command Responsibility: The three service chiefs would have a different profile without direct command responsibility under the new structure.
  • Defence Minister’s Caution: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has cautioned that creating theatre commands is a time-consuming process, taking up to 20 years in larger countries.
  • Consensus Building: Policy steps will only be initiated when consensus among the armed forces is achieved, particularly with strong views from the Air Force.
  • Bureaucratic Overload: The CDS’s role as Secretary to the government might be an overload, and it would be beneficial to transfer this responsibility to the Vice CDS.

Strategic Locations and Operational Challenges

  • Maritime Theatre Command: The potential base for the Maritime Theatre Command (MTC) in Coimbatore, instead of the previously identified Karwar, raises questions about location choice and utilization of existing infrastructure.
  • Two-Front Challenge: India faces operational challenges along the land borders with China and Pakistan, compounded by unresolved territorial disputes and state-sponsored terrorism.
  • Historical Threats: Incidents like Kargil 1999, Mumbai 2008, and Galwan 2020 highlight ongoing threats and military capacity issues.
  • Enhancing Combat Efficiency: The creation of the CDS in 2019 aimed to enhance overall combat efficiency and prepare for new strategic challenges shaped by technological and geopolitical changes.
  • Current Status: An objective review indicates that India’s overall combat efficiency has not significantly improved since the establishment of the CDS post in 2019.

Future Direction and Institutional Evolution

  • Upcoming Government: A new government will assume office in June, the evolution of the CDS as an institution should be resolute and guided by national security considerations.
  • Professional Independence: Former naval chief Admiral Arun Prakash emphasized that the CDS must retain professional independence and uphold the oath of allegiance to the Constitution.
  • Combat Efficiency Focus: The primary focus should be on enhancing combat efficiency and jointness among the armed forces.
  • Strategic Clarity: Clear roles and responsibilities need to be defined for the Vice CDS and other new posts to avoid confusion and overlap.
  • Objective Assessment: Continuous objective assessment and adjustments are necessary to ensure the CDS and theatre commands effectively contribute to India’s defense and security goals.

Way Forward:

  • Institutional Support: Ensure that the CDS has robust institutional support to carry out the mandate effectively, including sufficient resources and authority.
  • Training and Development: Develop comprehensive training programs for military leaders to adapt to the new joint command structures, fostering a culture of collaboration among the services.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage in regular dialogue with all stakeholders, including the armed forces, government officials, and defense experts, to address concerns and refine the implementation strategy.
  • Incremental Implementation: Adopt a phased approach to implementing theatre commands, allowing for adjustments based on initial experiences and feedback.
  • Enhanced Transparency: Maintain transparency in the process to build trust and ensure that the reforms are well understood and supported by all involved parties.

Conclusion

The creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the establishment of integrated theatre commands were envisioned to enhance India’s combat efficiency and jointness among the armed forces. While progress has been mixed, with several challenges and setbacks, the initiative remains crucial for India’s defense strategy. By addressing these areas, India can ensure that the CDS and theatre commands effectively contribute to national security and adapt to evolving strategic challenges.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the significance of creating the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and integrated theatre commands for enhancing India’s military efficiency. Critically analyze the challenges faced in implementing these reforms and suggest measures to overcome them.

Associated Articles:

https://universalinstitutions.com/armed-forces-consider-vice-cds-deputy-cds-roles-with-clarity/