The significant strides towards strengthening India’s defence capabilities are evident in the consolidation of the tri-service agencies responsible for special operations, cyberspace and space security. This initiative has taken flight with the appointment of high-ranking officers to lead these critical domains. Notably, the Special Operation Force, one of India’s elite units drawn from the three armed forces, is now fully operational under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). A Major General from the Army, now holding the position of General Officer Commanding (GOC), a rank normally associated with field formations, has been appointed as the first commander.
Why this initiative?
India possesses highly competent Special Forces (SF) that have repeatedly validated their proficiency in various operations. Nevertheless, the Naresh Chandra Committee on Defence Reforms in India highlighted the gaping holes in the national security decision-making process and the urgent need for structural changes. This committee recommended establishing three command divisions- Special Operations, Cyber, and Space – to address emerging national security challenges. As a result, numerous actions have been initiated to promote integration among different services. However, it is pivotal to understand that jointness differs from integration. Jointness is generally associated with Theatre command.
Differences between Jointness and Integration
The distinction between jointness and integration is crucial, especially in the context of military operations. While jointness refers to the coordinated functioning of the three Services while retaining their unique identities, integration implies merging them under one commander for operational planning.
| Jointness | Integration | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Coordinated operations of the three Services, maintaining their independent identities. | Enmeshing the three Services together at different levels and placing them under a single commander. |
| Aim | Synergised use of resources for optimal results in minimal time, avoiding duplication. | Decreasing response time to evolving situations under a single commander. |
| Resource | Employment of individual resources; subject to debate during critical moments. | Immediate employment of dedicated resources, based on operational situation. |
| Consent | Mandatory consent from parent Service for resource allocation. | Allocated resources from all services to the appropriate commander. |
| Friction | Possible inter-Service friction due to differences in employment. | Reduction in friction as initial resistance is overcome during re-organization. |
Impact of the New Structure
The Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), as it is named, will incorporate the Special Forces of the Army, Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Navy, and Garuda commando force of the IAF. While these three forces have previously operated together, this is the first time they are being brought under a common command and control structure- an essential step towards the integration of the three forces. This restructuring will help cut down training costs as well as logistics and administrative expenses. The AFSOD, along with the Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) and Defence Space Agency, will play a crucial role in tackling future challenges to national security.
The First Tri-service Theatre Command
The Andaman and Nicobar Command is the inaugural and sole Tri-service theatre command of the Indian Armed Forces, stationed at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This command was instituted in 2001, on the suggestion of the Kargil review committee, with an aim to secure India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca by facilitating rapid deployment of military resources in the region. Importantly, it offers logistical and administrative support to naval ships dispatched for duty to East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.