originally published : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/theaterisation-why-indias-armed-forces-need-to-play-as-one-team/
The debate on theaterisation of armed forces is once again in the news, following Operation Sindoor, and the definite conclusion that another iteration of Sindoor is likely. Besides, the defence minister has recently stated clearly that the country has to be prepared now for even five years, in a highly unpredictable international situation. In such an eventuality, defence reforms are vital, and the core of this lies in theaterisation, recommended decades ago, and yet to be implemented.
Recall that following the Kargil war, a committee under the chairmanship of the legendary K. Subrahmanyam made some critical observations. The report of the Kargil Review Committee (KRC), which was submitted to Parliament on 15 December 1999, and delivered a sobering truth: the Army, Navy and Air Force fought valiantly, but not always in a fully integrated manner. Intelligence remained scattered, decisions were delayed, and multiple coordination gaps were evident. All of this led to the war taking place in the first place. The forces delivered as they always do, but there were severe problems in bringing it all together.
The KRC recommendation that a Group of Ministers (GoM) on national security be set up was done. Its extensive recommendations laid before the Prime Minister in 2001 laid the foundation for reforms such as the establishment of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with the specific task of creating ‘jointness’. While most of the 75-plus recommendations were implemented, the main thrust that the existing arrangement of a Chiefs of Staff Committee was not enough and that a CDS be appointed was once again shelved. A decade later, in 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee (NCC) modified this to at least the appointment of a permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) as a precursor to the CDS, the creation of dedicated Special Operations, Cyber and Aerospace Commands, and stronger integration of Service Headquarters with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). In simple terms, it was urging more jointness in the system. It took another 8 years for a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to be finally appointed in 2020, together with the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), and the beginning of discussions on integrated theatre commands. In effect, the logical next step for theatreisation was never taken.
The logical view from the ground
Way back in 2006, the College of Defence Management (CDM) carried out a detailed tri-service study on these very reforms at the behest of Admiral Arun Prakash, then Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The study was conducted by a group of Colonel-equivalent officers from the three services undergoing the Higher Defence Management Course. It was led by then Colonel (now Lieutenant General, Retd.) Raj Shukla of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), with this author as the Directing Staff guiding the effort. The CDM study had made two major recommendations: first, the establishment of a CDS; and second, the theatreisation of the Armed Forces. It also proposed a detailed structure for theatreisation. In short, on the ground, the then young officers from all three services forming part of the study actually agreed on the issue.
What is theatreisation?
Think of it like cricket. If India fields three separate teams, one each for batting, bowling and fielding, we may have the best specialists, but we won’t win the match. Victory comes when all skills are integrated under one captain with one game plan. Theatreisation is exactly that: combining the strengths of the Army, Navy and Air Force under a single Theatre Commander responsible for a specific front—be it the northern borders, the western frontier, or the Indian Ocean. This ensures unity of command, faster decision-making, and seamless joint operations.
Why it matters for India
All of this becomes even more vital when you consider India’s unique security challenges, with one adversary on our western borders, another on the northern, while also safeguarding our maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. That this could be a simultaneous two-front war is a given. No single Service can manage this complexity alone. Globally, all major powers—the United States, China and Russia—have already moved to theatre commands. Their lesson is clear: wars are won when services fight together, not in silos.
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
India’s recent Operation Sindoor was a stark reminder of how each service’s objectives intersect with the other. Though limited in scope, it exposed flaws in joint planning, air defence integration, and escalation control. Command decisions were still heavily centralised in Delhi. Had the conflict expanded, this lack of decentralised theatre-level authority could have cost us dearly. Imagine again, a cricket captain waiting for every field change approval from the BCCI in Mumbai—by the time permission comes, the ball has already crossed the boundary. That’s how impractical our current system is.
Why resistance exists
Every Service has its traditions and turf. Understandably, there is apprehension about losing control. But this is not about diluting pride—it’s about strengthening collective power. The United States faced similar resistance before passing the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, which transformed its armed forces into the joint powerhouse it is today. India needs similar political will, backed by Parliament, to mandate theatreisation, overcome inertia, and ensure continuity of reforms.
The road ahead
The way forward is clear. Integrated theatre commands must be designed around threats, not traditions: one adversary, one theatre. Service Chiefs should focus on raising, training, and sustaining their forces, while operational control passes to Theatre Commanders, who are empowered to act in real-time. Equally important is institutionalising multi-domain operations. Cyber, space, and information warfare cannot be left as add-ons; they must be the centre of joint structures. To ensure reforms survive changes in leadership or politics, legislative backing is essential, much like the Goldwater-Nichols framework in the US.
A veteran’s call
As someone who has worn the uniform, I believe theatreisation is not just a military reform but a national imperative. Our adversaries will not wait for us to sort out our structures. The longer we delay, the more we risk repeating the mistakes of the past. India has the talent, the technology, and the willpower. All we need now is the right structure. Just as a cricket team cannot win with three captains, India cannot secure its future with fragmented commands. It’s time our armed forces truly play as one team, one plan, one mission.
