Armed Forces’ integrated commands structure plan looks at Vice CDS, Dy CDS with clear roles-

• The Armed Forces are looking at the appointment of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

Highlights

• The Vice CDS, likely to be an officer of the rank of General, who will look after strategic planning, capability development and procurement-related matters.
• The Deputy CDS, likely to be an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General, will be responsible for operations, intelligence and will coordinate the allocation of assets between theaters.
• While the organizational structure plan may be finetuned after it gets government approval,
  • It would lead to creation of theater commands, (Jaipur, Lucknow, Coimbatore likely homes for theater commands)
  • The overall plan is to establish three adversary-based theater commands – one facing Pakistan,
  • Another opposite China, and
  • a maritime theater command to tackle maritime threats outside the coastal borders of the country.

Prelims Takeaway:

• CDS
• Border Security