The Prime Minister of India, with the aim of creating a smoothly coordinated and efficient defence system, has recently enacted the establishment of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). This role is meant to act as a single point of authority and advice to the Government of India on matters pertaining to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The creation of the CDS is aimed at facilitating long-term planning, effective procurement, comprehensive training, and logistic operations within the three services and ensuring enhanced coordination between them.
The Origin of the Chief of Defence Staff Initiative
The genesis of the Chief of Defence Staff can be traced back to the aftermath of the 1999 conflict. A review committee on higher military reforms conducted post-Kargil war recommended the creation of this post. Serving as a single-point military advisor to the Prime Minister on strategic issues, the Chief of Defence Staff emerged as a key suggestion from this committee, highlighting the need for greater synchronisation in military affairs.
The Need for Chief of Defence Staff
Currently, the formulation of defense policies typically falls under the ambit of the Defense Secretary, who is a bureaucrat by nature, while the execution of these policies rests with Chiefs of armed forces. This divide often results in defence policies becoming incoherent.
Additionally, in an era where modern warfare domains such as Space and Cyber technologies are increasingly becoming pivotal, a more coherent and integrated approach to the defence strategy is required. Following the trend, a group of ministers was formed in 2001 to explore necessary reforms needed to enhance India’s sense of national security. They too favoured the institution of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Endorsements for Chief of Defence Staff
In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Task Force threw its weight behind the proposal, recommending the appointment of a permanent chairman of the Chiefs-of-Staff Committee. The notion of having a Chief of Defence Staff also happens to be one of the 99 recommendations made by the Lt. General D.B. Shekatkar (retd.) committee in 2016.
<
| Year | Committee/Task Force | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Kargil Review Committee | Creation of Chief of Defence Staff post |
| 2001 | Group of Ministers | Institution of the Chief of Defence Staff |
| 2012 | Naresh Chandra Task Force | Appointment of a permanent chairman of Chiefs-of-Staff Committee |
| 2016 | Lt. General D.B. Shekatkar (retd.) committee | Endorsement of the Chief of Defence Staff post |
The Implications of Establishing the Chief of Defence Staff
The creation of the Chief of Defence Staff will eventually lead to the formation of tri-service theatre commands. The primary aim is to achieve vertical integration of the three forces. This strategic step could potentially save money by avoiding unnecessary duplication between the Services, especially at a time when capital expenditure within the defence budget is shrinking. Furthermore, it paves the way for India to strengthen its defense diplomacy.
Sources: TH