Appointing a CDS (English version) Amar Uajala 26 Dec 19
https://www.amarujala.com/columns/opinion/towards-reform-of-defense-management?src=top-lead
Appointing a CDS (English version) Amar Uajala 26 Dec 19
Post the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on 24 Dec, the government announced that it has approved the creation of a post of a four-star General as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The name of the CDS has yet to be announced. This has been done over 20 years after it was first suggested to the government after the 1999 Kargil Conflict, by the Kargil and Arun Singh Committees formed to re-evaluate higher defence management and enhance jointness within the forces.
The Naresh Chandra committee, formed by the government in 2011, stated that until a CDS is announced a permanent chairman of the Chief’s of Staff Committee (COSC) be appointed. The COSC is a committee comprising the chiefs of the three services and headed by the senior most in rotation. The Shekatkar Committee in 2016 again reinforced the appointment of a CDS.
Hence, every committee created by the government to study reforms in management of national security had similar recommendations, however governments hesitated for multiple reasons, primarily fearing a coup with excess power being in one hand. The Manmohan Singh government throughout its tenure kept stating that it is seeking political consensus on the appointment of a CDS, while Modi waited for his second tenure to make the announcement.
During his Independence Day address this year PM Modi stated that a CDS would be nominated before the end of the year. Subsequently, an ‘implementation committee’ under the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, was set up to determine ‘exact responsibilities, an enabling framework and all other issues involved to ensure smooth operationalisation’ of a CDS. It was the findings of this committee that the CCS approved on 24th Dec.
The government has also released the charter of duties of the CDS. It stated that the CDS would have multiple roles. Firstly, he would be the permanent chairman of the COSC, bringing stability to an essential organization. In this role he would be assisted by the HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) which was raised post the Kargil conflict and presently handles all joint forces. Secondly, he would be responsible for all joint commands of the armed forces, which are currently operational. Presently, India’s joint commands include the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Strategic Forces Command, Armed Forces Special Operations Division, Defence Cyber Agency and the Defence Space Agency.
Thirdly, he will be the principal military advisor to the defence minister on tri-service matters, while service chiefs would continue as advisors on service specific matters. Fourthly, he will not exercise any military command, except joint commands. This implies that service chiefs would continue to exercise command of their forces as at present. Fifthly, he will be a member of the defence acquisition council and the defence planning committee.
Finally, and most importantly, he would head a new department within the Ministry of Defence (MoD), termed as the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). DMA would have a mix of military and civilian staff. The department is being tasked to promote jointness in procurement, training and staffing through joint planning and integration of their requirements. The DMA is also tasked to facilitate restructuring of existing commands for optimum utilization of resources through jointness and promote use of indigenous equipment. These are all to be implemented within three years.
From the above a few major deductions can be drawn. Firstly, the CDS would be a part of the government and not outside it as has been the norm till date with the armed forces. Presently service HQs though considered as integrated HQs are kept outside the MoD structure. Bringing him into the MoD is essential if he is to be a principal advisor as also the interface between the armed forces and the defence minister. Till date the MoD does not have any member of the armed forces within it leading to decisions being taken on military matters by those unaware of it.
Further, cases emanating from the CDS would not be routed through the defence secretary but be sent directly to the defence minister, thus enabling right advice to the defence minister and would result in faster decision making. By heading the COSC, he would be the voice of the forces within the ministry.
Secondly, his role and tasks imply that Indian armed forces would initially move towards jointness in planning, procurement and training, subsequently moving towards joint logistics and finally to theatre commands, which is the need of the future. The present armed forces organization has 17 different service commands most of which are neither co-located nor co-purposed leading to different services preparing and planning for operations and capability development independently.
Finally, all ‘Out of Area’ contingencies, implying deployment of forces outside India would be his responsibility. In Sri Lanka, the last time Indian forces operated together, they were compelled to set up a ‘Unified Command’, which was not a success. Now the responsibility has been delegated to the CDS.
In the overall analysis the current government has taken a decision which every government till date hesitated. It has announced a CDS and provided the appointment with a charter of duties seeking to bring about better coordination within the forces, reduce expenditure and promote joint operations, enhancing efficiency. By amalgamating the DMA into the MoD, it has changed the way the armed forces were handled by the MoD.
The DMA is the first department which will have a mix of uniformed and civil members. If this model is successful, the entire ministry could then be suitably structured. Most importantly, the armed forces would slowly and steadily move towards joint commands enhancing capabilities and synergizing military power.
There is no doubt that such an exercise would have initial teething problems. These would be overcome with time. The first step has been taken by the government, its success would be dependent on the ability of the individual appointed as CDS and the cooperation he receives from the MoD and service chiefs.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army