New Delhi: As part of streamlining the armed forces by the creation of Theatre Commands and better coordination among the armed forces, the country’s biggest reorganisation since Independence with the Integrated Theatre Command (ITC) are in advanced stages of preparations to roll out.
“The Jaipur-headquartered South Western Command (SWC) will be the first theatre command, followed by Lucknow-based Northern Theatre Command,” media reports said quoting defence sources.
An announcement in this regard is expected to be made on the Independence Day.
The South Western Command will initially function as the test-bed ITC in order to iron out the shortcomings and implement the commensurate amendments. The Lucknow-based ITC will be the next in line followed by the Maritime Theatre Command, based out of Karwar in Karnataka, entrusted with the responsibility of the coastal and maritime operations.
The commands are being worked out as per the concept of ‘One Border One Force.’ The Western Integrated Theatre Command will be responsible for defence and security concerning Pakistan. Lucknow, which currently is the headquarters of the Central Command of the Indian Army, is to become the headquarters of the Northern ITC, having the entire northern border with China under its area of responsibility.
The proposed ITCs will be created with no liabilities towards the creation of additional posts or ranks, as the structure will be created from the existing command structure of each Service. At present, the three armed forces function with 17 independent commands: Army and Air Force have seven commands each and the Navy has three commands.
China, in 2016, reorganised its seven military regions into five theatre commands with Indian borders falling into the operational responsibility of its Western Theatre Command.
The ITC will reorganise the complete war-waging machinery comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force. Discussions continue to identify the first Lieutenant General rank officer to be elevated as the first Theatre Commander. The warfighting structure of the Armed Forces is being reorganised into theatre commands with an aim to have the assets of all three forces under one commander responsible for all operations under his theatre.
