The country got an unusual Christmas gift this year. The Prime Minister had announced on Independence Day that India will soon have a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). On Christmas eve, the cabinet committee on security, the apex security body in our country, approved the role and the charter of the CDS. After the PM announced the decision to create the post of the CDS, many called it a game changer. However, the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is set to be a bigger game changer than the CDS.

The PM had announced the CDS, against the widely-expected recommendations of a permanent chairman to the Chiefs of Staff Committee. In the recent announcement, the creation of the DMA has come as a big, and a welcome surprise. Both these steps strengthen the hands of this appointment and empower him to fulfil his mandate and charter in a meaningful manner. On the other hand, some things could be done differently, discussed, here, in the end.

The CDS will be a game changer. He will function at four different levels. He will create a better interface with the leadership and other elements of power; head the DMA; synergise and synchronise several aspects of the tri-services coordination as chairman, chiefs of staff committee, and lastly, as per the mandate, create more integration between armed forces as per given timelines, leading, eventually, up to Integrated Theatre Commands.

As the principal military adviser, he will provide single-point advice to the leadership on tri-services matters, be it in the National Security Council or the Nuclear Command Authority. This enables the leadership in taking informed decisions in security matters. He will also be able to contribute better in creating synergy with other elements of power under the ambit of the Defence Planning Committee.

DMA WILL CUT DOWN DELAYS

The three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air force have never been a part of the ministry of defence organisationally. They have been listed as attached offices of the ministry. India must be the only country where the armed forces are kept out of the apex structure. The DMA pulls them out of being attached offices in the defence ministry. This department, under the CDS will report directly to the defence minister, which will cut down delays and usher in the much-needed promptness in security affairs of the country. On the flip side, the services will now onwards be responsible for themselves. They will have no one else to blame, as indeed it should be. To fulfil its task, this department will be staffed by a mix of military and civilian officers.

His biggest, and arguably the trickiest, part (or level) will be to synergise the relevant aspects between the three services as chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. This will involve taking uncomfortable decisions on contentious issues, especially in prioritising inter-services requirements for modernisation.

There is a requirement to obviate gaps and overlaps amongst the three services. As a developing country, India can ill-afford the duplication of facilities, as well as avoidable overlaps in equipping its forces. To this end, the CDS will exercise a capability over-watch over the services. The Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan can be realistic now, as also incorporating inputs from other instruments of power viz. diplomacy, economy, power etc, through the aegis of Defence Planning Committee. A similar joint planning process has been included in his charter in doctrinal and training issues.

The CDS will assume command of all tri-services organisations, to include the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), the Strategic Forces Command, and the newly created cyber, space and special forces division/agency, besides the tri-services training establishments, not to mention the National Defence University, which is in the pipeline. While he will not have operations of land, sea or air under him, cyber and space will be his domain, as will be the ANC, and the specialised ones, like the Strategic Forces and the Special Forces.

HUGE RESOURCE OPTIMISATION

Interestingly, and significantly, he has been mandated to develop more jointness in operations, logistics, communications, support services, repair and maintenance, training and transport. This will result in huge resource optimisation, inter alia. This fourth level that he will have to work on will be futuristic. He has to create structures in given timelines to enhance jointness to a level that paves the way for the establishment of Theatre Commands, eventually.

What could have been done differently? While the creation of the DMA is a welcome step, it could have been based on HQ Integrated Defence Staff itself, which the CDS heads anyway. It is already staffed with officers from the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS). It could be strengthened with a few more administrative officers. Secondly, as a secretary-level officer, the VCDS perhaps could be better suited to head this department, leaving the CDS free for higher responsibili-ties, as he will have his hands really full.

However, this is the first cut. The structure and the roles will evolve over time, as will our mindsets. The more important thing is that a bold step has been taken, which will be a game changer in the security paradigm of our country, and this will enable our country take her rightful place as an emerging regional power. Carving a place for the new set-up and this new institution will not be easy. It hasn’t been a smooth ride in any country. The first CDS, and the few that follow, will have to lay a good foundation; he will need all the help from his colleagues, the three chiefs, encouragement in the defence ministry and support from the leadership.

Best wishes for the New Year to all, and a little extra to the first CDS.

satishdua@gmail.com

The author, a former commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps and a counter-terrorism specialist, retired as chief of Integrated Defence Staff. Views expressed are personal.