Top Army, Navy, Air Force Commanders Likely To Meet In Jaipur In May Amid Theatre Commands Push

Last Updated:April 26, 2026, 11:28 IST

Joint Commanders Conference likely in Jaipur on May 7-8. Top military leaders are expected to review integration and procurements.

A Joint Commanders’ Conference is expected to be held in Jaipur on May 7 and 8, where senior military leadership from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force will deliberate on important military planning and issues. The discussion will focus on integration, procurements and key operational challenges as the armed forces continue efforts to strengthen coordination across the three services.

Such conferences have been held in the past as part of the military’s broader integration efforts but this year’s meeting assumes more significance as it comes at a time when the long-pending proposal for integrated theatre commands is also nearing approvals.

Speaking earlier this month at the Ran Samvad seminar in Bengaluru, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had indicated that the internal process was nearly complete for theatre commands.

“From our side, it is done. Now we have to move it to the Defence Minister and then to the Cabinet Committee on Security," he had said, adding that the consultations among the services were carried out through a structured internal mechanism to resolve inter-service issues before the proposal moved forward.

He had also said that while there was broad agreement among the three services on the concept of theatre commands, there were some differences regarding the manifestation and execution of the structure.

The proposal is understood to recommend the appointment of four-star theatre commanders, placing them on par with the service chiefs. Initially, the military is expected to move towards three primary theatre commands.

As per multiple inputs and information gathered at multiple levels, the western theatre command focused on Pakistan, is likely to be headed by an Indian Air Force officer. The northern theatre command, with its focus on China and the Line of Actual Control, is expected to be led by an Army officer. The maritime theatre command is likely to be headed by a Navy officer and will oversee operations in the Indian Ocean Region.

Sources said the proposal also includes the creation of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and Deputy Commanders for each theatre command.

At present, India operates through 17 separate single-service commands, seven each under the Army and Air Force, and three under the Navy. The theatre command concept seeks to replace this structure with integrated commands that can fight as one unified force during conflict.

The idea was first strongly pushed by India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat, who had described theatre commands as essential for future warfare. However, the process slowed due to inter-service concerns, especially regarding the role of air power and command authority. Under Gen Chauhan, the effort has regained pace with military leadership working to build consensus before seeking final political approval.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, had recently said that work on joint structures and theatre commands was “more than 90 percent complete."

Officials said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to examine the proposal and hold further consultations before it is sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval. If cleared, the reform would mark the biggest restructuring of India’s armed forces since Independence, with four-star theatre commanders functioning alongside the three service chiefs under a more integrated command architecture.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming Joint Commanders’ Conference in Jaipur is expected to be closely watched as the armed forces prepare for the next phase of military integration.

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