New Delhi: In a significant move towards boosting interoperability among the Indian Armed Forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has empowered Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to issue joint orders and instructions to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This decision replaces the previous system where multi-service directives were issued separately by each military branch.
The Defence Ministry described the decision as a “major step towards modernisation and transformation” of India’s defence command structure. The first such Joint Order — titled “Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders” — was officially released on Tuesday.
Streamlining Military Decision-Making
This change is intended to:
- Streamline operational procedures
- Eliminate redundancies in communication
- Foster greater synergy among the three services
The move is aligned with India’s long-term strategic goal of developing Integrated Theatre Commands, allowing for coordinated operations and enhanced efficiency across land, sea, and air domains.
Laying Groundwork for Future Defence Reforms
By centralising authority under the CDS, the government aims to bolster jointness, reduce duplication of effort, and lay the groundwork for seamless defence preparedness in complex operational environments.
