On Friday, the lower house of the parliament passed a bill that seeks to empower the commanders of inter-services organizations to exercise command, control and discipline over the personnel of the army, navy and air force serving under them.
The bill has been proposed as a crucial step towards creating theater commands that will integrate the capabilities of the three services and optimize the use of military resources.
What is Theaterisation ?
Theaterisation is a concept that seeks to integrate the capabilities of the three services – army, air force and navy – and optimally utilize their resources for wars and operations.
Theaterisation, however, is not a new concept and many countries have adopted it to enhance their defense capabilities. For example, the United States has 11 unified combatant commands that cover different regions and functions. China has also restructured its military into five theater commands in 2016.
The theaterisation also demands a change in the mindset and culture of the service personnel and officers. It requires them to adopt a joint perspective and approach to warfare and operations. In other words, it requires them to overcome their service-specific biases or preferences and work as an integrated team.
The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023 was introduced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha on March 15, amid protests by the opposition parties over various issues including Manipur.
What is an inter-services organisation?
The bill defines an inter-services organisation as an organisation established by the central government for any purpose connected with defense or any other purpose involving two or more services.
According to the New Defense Bill, the central government will have the power to notify any force or organisation as an inter-services organisation. However, the bill does not specify the number of theatre commands that will be set up under this bill.
What Are Some Other Provisions Under Theaterisation?
- The bill grants the commander-in-chief or officer-in-command of an inter-services organisation the power to exercise administrative or disciplinary control over the personnel of the army, air force and navy serving under their command.
- The bill also provides for appeals against the orders of such commanders to the Chief of Defence Staff or any other authority specified by the central government.
- The bill lays down the rules and procedures for holding courts of inquiry, summary trials and courts martial for offenses committed by the personnel of inter-services organizations.
- The bill specifies the punishments that can be imposed by such courts, which include imprisonment, dismissal, reduction in rank, forfeiture of seniority, fine and detention.
The bill will enhance the role of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
The bill will give the CDS more authority and responsibility to oversee the functioning of inter-services organisations. The bill will empower the CDS to appoint the commanders-in-chief or officers-in-command of these organisations and to hear appeals against their orders.
As per the latest reports, India plans to have at least six theatre commands, namely Air Defence Command, Maritime Theatre Command, Western Theatre Command, Northern Theatre Command, Eastern Theatre Command and Logistics Command.
The theaterisation is process is primarily aimed at improving the integration and connectedness of the three services of the Indian armed forces. However, there are also some challenges in its implementation. Some of these challenges are:
- The theaterisation requires a clear definition and delineation of the roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of the theater commands and their commanders. It may involve resolving issues such as command and control, communication, coordination, interoperability, standardisation, doctrine, training, and evaluation.
- The theaterisation also involves a major restructuring and reorganisation of the existing commands and resources of the three services. It may entail merging, splitting, or relocating some commands, units, assets, or personnel. This may cause operational, logistical, financial, or administrative challenges or disruptions.
- The bill also requires the coordination and cooperation of the three services and their respective commands, which may have different views, interests, cultures, and traditions.
- There may be resistance or reluctance from some service personnel or officers to accept the authority or orders of a commander from another service.
Theaterisation is being seen as one of India’s biggest military reforms by the ruling NDA that will enhance India’s defence capabilities and national security.
