Forging the Future of India’s Military: Joint Commanders’ Conference Commences in Lucknow

In a world where the nature of warfare is becoming increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, military readiness is a cornerstone of national security. India, as an emerging global power with significant stakes in the Indo-Pacific, must continuously adapt to new realities of warfare and modernize its defense infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the first-ever Joint Commanders’ Conference (JCC), held on September 4-5, 2024, in Lucknow, marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards creating a more unified and integrated armed forces. Themed “Sashakt and Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces,” the event brings together the highest echelons of the Indian military and Ministry of Defence to deliberate on key issues affecting India’s security.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, along with the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force—General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhari, respectively—led the conference. The central theme: building a future-ready military through enhanced jointness, integration across various domains, and fostering a ‘joint culture’ that will ensure the armed forces can meet the challenges of future warfare.

Enhancing Jointness for Future Warfare

One of the most pressing themes emphasized by General Anil Chauhan during the conference was the critical importance of jointness. In the contemporary era, wars are no longer confined to one domain—land, sea, air, or space. They now encompass cyber, space, and information warfare as well. To face these multi-domain challenges, the Indian military needs to function as a cohesive unit, capable of responding rapidly and effectively to threats that may arise from any domain.

The CDS complimented the armed forces for taking the first steps towards integration by fostering cross-service cooperation. However, he stressed that the path towards full integration of the armed forces is a step-by-step process. “Cross-service cooperation must evolve into a ‘joint culture’,” General Chauhan remarked, highlighting that this is the precursor to achieving seamless integration of forces for the conduct of joint operations. The conference discussed how the armed forces can enhance collaboration through shared resources, intelligence, and command structures, thus reducing redundancy and enabling a more synchronized approach to modern warfare.

Building a Command and Control Infrastructure

Another critical aspect that emerged from the deliberations was the need to develop a robust command and control infrastructure. The future of warfare demands swift and informed decision-making, and this can only be achieved through the establishment of integrated command and control centers. These centers will not only streamline decision-making processes but also facilitate coordination across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, ensuring that commanders are equipped with real-time intelligence and the necessary tools to make quick, decisive moves in the heat of battle.

At the heart of these discussions was the importance of modernizing infrastructure and technology. General Chauhan stressed that modernization is not an option but an imperative if India’s military is to remain ready and relevant in the rapidly evolving global security environment. The Indian armed forces must embrace next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and unmanned systems to maintain their competitive edge. Furthermore, the CDS underscored the importance of maintaining strategic autonomy, which involves reducing reliance on foreign defense technologies and strengthening indigenous defense manufacturing.

Modernization for Strategic Autonomy

Modernization and strategic autonomy are inseparable. The Indian government has, in recent years, pushed forward a strong agenda for indigenization through its ‘Make in India’ initiative. This initiative is central to achieving self-reliance in defense technologies, reducing dependence on imports, and fostering domestic defense capabilities. General Chauhan reiterated that India’s quest for modernization must go hand-in-hand with achieving strategic autonomy, particularly in critical technologies like space, cyber capabilities, and AI.

A key point of discussion was the establishment of theatre commands—a transformative step towards restructuring India’s military. The CDS and service chiefs discussed the creation of three major theatre commands: the Northern theatre command, focused on China and headquartered in Lucknow; the Western theatre command, focusing on Pakistan and based in Jaipur; and the Maritime theatre command, responsible for the Indian Ocean and coastal territories, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram. These theatre commands are designed to ensure that the military can respond more effectively to regional threats by unifying operational command structures.

The concept of theatre commands marks a departure from the current structure, where the three services operate largely independently. Theatre commands will enable greater synergy by placing all assets—air, sea, and land—under a single operational commander, thereby allowing for quicker response times and a more effective use of resources. However, the transition to this structure will require careful planning, particularly to ensure that service headquarters, which manage training and acquisitions, remain aligned with the needs of theatre commands.

The Role of Political Leadership

On the second day of the conference, Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh is scheduled to engage in detailed deliberations with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the apex military leadership. His presence underscores the political leadership’s commitment to transforming the armed forces and addressing the security challenges of the future.

The final document of the conference, expected to be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will include recommendations on theaterisation, modernization, and steps towards enhancing jointness. The approval and implementation of these reforms will mark a pivotal shift in how the Indian military operates, ensuring it remains prepared, agile, and capable of defending India’s interests in an increasingly volatile world.

A Step Forward in Defence Preparedness

The Joint Commanders’ Conference, with its emphasis on jointness, modernization, and strategic autonomy, is a significant step towards preparing India’s armed forces for the challenges of the future. By fostering a ‘joint culture,’ embracing new technologies, and establishing theatre commands, India is poised to build a military that is not only capable of defending its borders but also of projecting power and influence in the wider region. As India continues to navigate an evolving security environment, the JCC stands as a beacon of its commitment to a stronger, safer, and more self-reliant nation.