Air defence command plan on

Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its significance; CDS: mandate and functions

News: In his first meeting with the officials of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, outlined priorities toward creating an air defence command and common logistics support pools as part of measures to create jointness and synergy among the three services.

The areas identified for jointness and synergy include the creation of common logistics support pools in stations where two or more services have their presence.

Gen. Rawat directed various branch heads to come up with recommendations for interservice synergy and jointness in a time-bound manner.

Emphasising the collegiate system of functioning, he directed that all three services and the Coast Guard must be consulted and their views obtained in a time-bound manner. Decisions will, however, be taken to ensure the optimisation of resources.

Efforts will be made to cut out infructuous ceremonial activities, which are manpower intensive.

Significance of the move and concerns associated

The air defence command and common logistics support pools are steps toward creating theatre commands in future, which is also in the mandate of the CDS. However, there is no consensus among the services on theatre commands and the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been especially opposed to the move.

On this issue, Gen. Rawat stated after assuming charge on Thursday that “we are copying western methods and what others have done” and “we have to find a system which suits India.”

Defence officials said a joint services Act is also being worked out which is being formulated by the Army AdjutantGeneral’s branch in coordination with the Navy and the IAF. The three services are currently guided by their respective Service Acts.

Mandate of CDS

The broad mandate of the CDS includes bringing about jointness in operations, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three services, within three years of the first CDS assuming office.

Source: The Hindu

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