India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, has recently put the third Joint Logistics Node (JLN) into operation in Mumbai, following the operationalisation of two other JLNs in Guwahati and Port Blair. These nodes are critical in providing a consolidated logistics cover to the Armed Forces. They contribute significantly to coordinating their operational efforts by covering diverse requirements like small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, civil hired transport, aviation clothing among others.
The Importance of Joint Logistics Nodes
Aside from facilitating the efficient use of resources and promoting financial savings, the JLNs are also instrumental in manpower conservation. Moreover, these nodes form the foundation for the planned joint logistics command – a component deemed crucial for optimising the combat potential of integrated theatres.
The notion of jointness can be achieved by setting integrated theatre commands that focus on utilising military resources best to tackle future battles.
Understanding Integrated Theatre Command
An integrated theatre command signifies the unified command of the three Services – Army, Air Force, and Navy. Such a model allows the single commander of a geographical theatre of strategic importance to shoulder all the available resources from the three services with heightened competence.
A chief virtue of an integrated theatre command is that it prevents wasteful duplication of resources. It encourages inter-service familiarity and reinforces cohesion within the defence establishment. This model ensures that resources under each service are available to the other services as well.
Recommended Structure of Integrated Theatre Commands
The Shekatkar committee has proposed the formation of three integrated theatre commands – northern for the China border, western for the Pakistan border, and southern for maritime purposes.
Existing Tri-Services Command
Currently, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) operates as a theatre command. Created in 2001, the ANC aims to safeguard India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca by escalating the speedy deployment of military assets in the islands. The Strategic Forces Command, established in 2006, is responsible for the operational control of India’s nuclear assets.
The Role of Chief of Defence Staff
The Chief of Defence Staff, a four-star General position with pay and benefits equivalent to a Service Chief, plays two principal roles. First, the CDS acts as the primary military advisor to the defence minister on tri-Services matters. Second, the CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DoMA), handling matters regarding the three services. The creation of the CDS was an initiative recommended by the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) in February 2000.
