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| Unified Commanders conference tomorrow | | |
NEW DELHI, JUNE 17
With modern warfare demanding a higher degree of coordination among the armed forces, the Unified Commanders conference beginning here tomorrow is likely to discuss the creation of the post of chief of defence staff to promote greater synergy among the forces.
The Unified Commanders Conference will be inaugurated by Defence Minister A K Antony. It had been initiated to tackle inadequacies experienced in the wake of the Kargil war.
The capabilities of the forces would significantly increase if they operate with a higher degree of "jointness" and in close tandem with one another in the conduct of various tasks, including training, defence ministry officials said.
Modern warfare demands a much higher degree of coordination in operations by all the three services than ever before and the meeting is likely to discuss the creation of a CDS, which would promote greater "jointness" in the forces.
According to a report of the Group of Ministers headed by Arjun Singh, the CDS may be a 4-star officer drawn from one of the three services in rotation and shall function as the "Principal Military Adviser" to the Defence Minister.
It is essential that no CDS ever reverts to his original service after his tenure, as this stipulation alone will provide him the requisite objectivity and independence so as to enable him to render unbiased advice to the Defence Minister, the report had said.
In view of the growing strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands, the need for replacement of the Fortress Commander Andaman and Nicobar (FORTAN) by a Joint Andaman and Nicobar Command was also felt.
This Command may jointly control the assets of the three services and the Coast Guard and would be the first Joint Command in the country. This proposal may be processed by the MoD and approval of the competent authority obtained expeditiously.
The Commander of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, who would also be present at tomorrow's meeting, may report to the CDS.
Officials also said that the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) needs to be appropriately revamped to discharge its responsibilities efficiently and effectively, including the facilitation of "jointness" and synergy among the defence services.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently appreciated the steps being taken to promote jointness in thinking, jointness in planning and jointness in action.
"This assumes even greater relevance as we invest more in our naval and air capabilities and develop a modern and well-equipped navy and air force. The three services must work together to pack punch and ensure maximum impact in action", he had said at a recent conference.
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