Essentially two to three models of Chief of Defence Staff are under discussion – the first is task oriented such as modernisation as possibly is the intention of the government on making the announcement. In this model the CDS will have powers to adjudicate on issues related to inter service priorities and legislate on differences. He will be accountable to the government for modernisation of the forces and will have to push the services towards the same.The CDS will in this case also head the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff and would be the empowered Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Will CDS head the Defence Planning Committee (DPC) remains to be seen, presently headed by the National Security Adviser?This would be the second model where a CDS is head of the DPC which apart from the Defence Secretary also has other secretaries of the government of India and the three service chiefs. The DPC is presently headed by the National Security Adviser and nomination of the CDS will further empower the military increase synergy and ensure that there is authority as well as accountability.
The third model is an all powerful CDS who has the operational control of the armed forces. This would entail creation of theatre commands, as no decision on the theatre commands has been taken so far, operational control will continue to be with the three services.So until the rules of business and charter of the office of CDS is finalised speculation is likely to continue.
In all likelihood Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in India will have a unique model which will have to fit in with the prevailing higher defence organisation and command arrangements. In simplistic terms he could be a permanent chairman chiefs of staff committee plus plus, having additional responsibilities for coordination and creation of synergy between the services.
In terms of direct command CDS would naturally be supervising the ANC (Andaman and Nicobar Command); Defence Cyber and Space Agencies (or Commands, as and when they come up) and Special Operations Division. Capability building of these will come in natural to the appointment.
Strategic Forces Command (SFC) should also be under the CDS who will be a part of the Executive Council. Doctrine, capabilities and synergy of strategic assets would be required which would come under the CDS while the holding could be with the services and the employment with the Political Council.
CDS will have the larger responsibility of formulation of national defence strategy, evolving the Raksha Mantri’s Operational Directive in consensus with the Ministry of Defence and supervising effective implementation of the same from time to time.
An important role will be in preparing the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), Services Capital Acquisition Plan the Annual Acquisition plan and documents such as the Technology Perspective and Capability Road Map (TPCR). The extensive coordination that would be required with the services, DRDO and other agencies would fall on his shoulders.
Implementation of the LTIPP by closely coordinating with the services and the other agencies will have to be achieved by the CDS through HQ IDS.
Joint training and logistics in particular assume importance by establishing framework for the same through a doctrine and providing the necessary guidance for organisation and implementation. Perhaps the first task for the CDS may be to establish a fully functional National Defence University which has been in limbo for some time now. The proposal is now in limbo even though land has been allocated for the same.
In the present model the Service Chiefs will continue to have operational control, however coordination in times of war may have to be considered, while a full fledged operationally active CDS may come in with the Theatre Commands at a later point of time.
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