Agenda for service chiefs in 2019 ORF 31 Dec 18
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/agenda-for-service-chiefs-in-2019-46922/
Agenda for service chiefs in 2019 ORF 31 Dec 18
2018 was an eventful year for the armed forces. The army spent the year in bringing down the levels of militancy in Kashmir. It also launched its own cadre review, seeking to cut down manpower and restructure its organizations making it lean and mean. It also released its latest Land Warfare Doctrine on 19 Dec. The three services continue to differ on the nature of future threats and how to deal with them, hence doctrines continue to be service specific.
The navy, apart from inducting deep submergence rescue vehicles also had the Arihant complete its first deterrence patrol leading to the completion of the triad, though one such submarine alone does not imply a comprehensive triad. The air force is preparing for the induction of the Rafale aircraft, Chinook and Apache helicopters. It also conducted its first air-to-air refuelling of the Tejas aircraft, after commencing its induction into the force. The S-400 missile deal signed between India and Russia would bolster the air defence of the country.
Simultaneously the armed forces were impacted by multiple decisions taken by the MoD, viewed by many to be anti-military. The opening of cantonments, considering permitting those covered under Ayushman Bharat to be treated in over stretched military hospitals, continued litigation against the orders of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in the apex court and bureaucratic attempts to take over the Canteen Stores Department are some instances.
The year also witnessed the creation of a Defence Planning Committee (DPC) under the National Security Advisor (NSA). The committee includes senior bureaucrats from the ministries of defence, external affairs and finance apart from the three service chiefs. It was created to enhance defence procurements, but not much appears to have moved in the last year. This creation put to rest all hopes of reorganizing apex management of defence by creating a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), as the NSA would perform that role.
In December, the navy chief and Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Sunil Lanba, had stated in an interview that the three service chiefs had accepted the proposal to create a Permanent Chairman for the Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCCOSC). This appointment has till now been held by the senior most serving chief, hence was not permanent, but almost rotatory. He also claimed that this proposal had been forwarded to the government. In his opinion, this could be the closest to the CDS and he would be the single point military advisor to the government.
Thus, as the new year commences, the service chiefs would need to lay down their priorities for the year. These would involve a mix of operational and non-operational priorities. Some aspects would be service specific, while others would be joint.
Amongst the joint aspects, the priority should be pushing the government to announce the PCCOSC. His appointment, midway to a CDS, would still provide joint commands a responsible head and be a stage better than the present. The army’s recently issued Land warfare Doctrine would then be a part of a joint doctrine which would synergize the operational concepts of the three services and enhance the nation’s ability to face threats.
The next joint aspect would be to synergize their efforts to ensure that military institutions are not targeted and lost to other central services. If they ignore this, the impact on the serving and veterans would be high, enhancing anger against the system.
The final joint aspect is to push through pending anomalies of the last pay commission, including the recent rejection of enhanced military service pay for JCOs, by the ministry of finance. If they could convince the government to approve Non-Functional Upgradation, specific to the armed forces, they would have done wonders for the morale of the services.
Though through the DPC, the services would seek an enhanced budget this year, as the last was the lowest in percentage since the 1962 war, considering the year to be an election year such a hope is unrealistic. Therefore, it may be compelled to go through another year of difficult financial management.
With the army undergoing major structural reforms, the coming year would be a major test for it. Exercises to implement changes in organization would have concluded and amendments to its proposed structures would be near finalization. It is important that this be pushed through at the earliest, as the army continues to prepare for future threats with structures of the past. Other aspects of reform, seeking to enhance satisfaction levels of the service cadre, restructure its organization in Delhi would need government approval, which may possibly only see the light of day once the new government assumes office. However, continuous engagement would be the only means of faster approval.
With elections scheduled for later this year, there would be attempts by Pak to subvert the same in the valley and place the existing government in an awkward position. Thus, tensions along the border would remain, as would attempts at enhanced infiltration. This implies adopting a firmer stance and a no-nonsense approach in the valley, while ensuring minimum collateral damage, especially close to elections. The army would thus need to re-strategize and possibly even deploy additional forces.
The navy and the air force are preparing for new inductions in 2019. The navy would be inducting INS Karanj, a Scorpene-Class submarine and three LCVs this year. It must pursue the development of its second aircraft carrier ensuring it is not delayed beyond 2020. The air force would be inducting its Apache and Chinooks helicopters alongside its first Rafale jets and increased Tejas fighters. Both the services would be moving forward in enhancing their capabilities and being better prepared to counter emerging threats. Amalgamating these new inductions into existing doctrines and plans is a major aspect which the air force must concentrate on.
A lot has happened in 2018, some beneficial, some damaging. Worthwhile proposals have been placed before the government, approvals are awaited. New structures have been created, benefits of which have yet to flow. Hence, service chiefs need to identify their priorities, join hands and work together to ensure that damages are reduced, capabilities enhanced and morale restored.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army