India Releases Joint Doctrines for Armed Forces Integration

India has recently revealed three joint military doctrines. These focus on Special Forces (SF) operations, airborne and heliborne operations, and multi-domain operations. The move aims to enhance jointness and integration among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It marks a key step towards the creation of theatre commands and modernised operational readiness.

Special Forces Joint Doctrine

  • The Special Forces doctrine promotes common understanding, terminology, and procedures among the Para-SF (Army), Marine Commandos (Navy), and Garud (Air Force).
  • It emphasises joint training on advanced skills to improve interoperability without shifting command control from the lead service.
  • Existing Special Forces Training Schools will be upgraded to Joint Service Training Institutes focused on core competencies.
  • Training includes night operations, adverse weather conditions, electronic warfare, and precision-guided munitions.
  • The doctrine marks SF’s role under regional commands and joint operations through Integrated Defence Staff structures.

Airborne and Heliborne Operations Doctrine

  • This doctrine stresses the integration of advanced technologies and joint cooperation for airborne and heliborne forces.
  • It underlines the importance of comprehensive training to absorb new tactics and equipment.
  • The goal is to maintain credible and responsive forces capable of decisive action in all conflict intensities. Joint efforts will enhance operational effectiveness from peacetime missions to high-intensity warfare.

Multi-Domain Operations Doctrine

  • The multi-domain operations doctrine envisions integrated employment of forces across land, sea, air, space, cyber, and cognitive domains.
  • It aims to build a resilient, agile force structure that leverages enhanced military power.
  • The doctrine provides a framework for how the three services will organise, plan, and fight together at all levels of war.
  • This joint approach ensures responsiveness and synergy in complex modern battlefields.

Future Outlook

The doctrines foresee revolutionary changes in warfare due to emerging technologies and new weapon systems. They call for continuous adaptation of tactics and procedures. The focus is on technological absorption and joint training to maintain operational superiority. These steps prepare India’s armed forces for evolving security challenges in the 21st century.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *