Achieve greater integration among forces: PM to defence minister

KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Monday directed the defence ministry to 'swiftly implement concrete steps' to achieve greater jointness, atmanirbharta and innovation to meet future challenges, amid the continuing differences among the Army, Navy and IAF over the creation of theatre commands for an integrated and cost-effective war-fighting machinery.Inaugurating the biennial three-day combined commanders conference (CCC) at Kolkata, the PM also reviewed the security situation and operational readiness of the armed forces in the context of the "new normal" created by Operation Sindoor, while being briefed on the future of warfare in the backdrop of emerging technology and tactics. tnnPM puts thrust on self-reliance in defence production As per the "new normal" laid down by PM Modi after the strikes against Pakistan during the May 7-10 hostilities, any act of cross-border terror will be treated as an act of war and be met with a decisive response.

"Moreover, the PM has made it clear that Pakistan's nuclear sabre-rattling will not prevent India from striking terror bases, with no distinction being made between terrorists and their sponsors," an official said.The PM complimented the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor as well as the integral role they play in nation-building, anti-piracy, safe return of Indian citizens from conflict zones and providing humanitarian assistance to friendly countries.

The CCC at Easter Command headquarters in Vijay Durg, Kolkata, is being attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh, national security adviser Ajit Doval, chief of defence staff Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs and other top military officers and bureaucrats. Singh will address the commanders on Tuesday. Defence officials said that key topics under discussion include enhancing inter-service coordination, streamlining procurement processes, adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, and improving training frameworks for multi-domain operations.

The conference emphasised the need to shift from traditional paradigms of warfare to agile, network-centric, and technology-driven military strategies.Reviewing the defence reforms implemented over the last two years, and the plan for the next two years, the PM's main thrust was on the urgent need for jointness among the armed forces, self-reliance in defence production and innovation to enhance operational readiness and "prevail against any eventuality" in the years ahead.The Modi govt has been pushing for the long-pending creation of the tri-Service integrated theatre commands (ITCs), in the most radical military reorganisation envisaged since Independence. The progress, however, has been slow. India currently has 17 single-service commands (Army 7, IAF 7 and Navy 3), which do not have the requisite synergy in planning, logistics and operations.The plan is to have two "adversary-specific" ITCs -- one for the northern borders with China at Lucknow and the other for the western front with Pakistan at Jaipur.