Latest news with #JointOrders'
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajnath Singh authorises CDS to issue joint orders for armed forces
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday authorised the chief of defence staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, who also heads the department of military affairs, to issue 'joint instructions and joint orders' for the three services, a step aimed at boosting jointness in the armed forces. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and CDS General Anil Chauhan. (File Photo) 'This marks a shift from the earlier system wherein instructions/orders pertaining to two or more services were issued by each service separately,' the defence ministry said, calling it a major step towards modernisation and transformation of the country's military. The move comes weeks after India notified new rules under an overarching law to boost jointness, command efficiency and operational synergy in the armed forces at a critical moment when they are charting a path towards theaterisation --- a long-awaited reform for the best use of the military's resources to fight future wars. The two developments come in the aftermath of the May 7-10 clash with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor that saw the three services work jointly for best battle outcomes. The first joint order on 'Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders' issued on Tuesday 'emphasises the need to streamline procedures, eliminate redundancies and enhance cross-service cooperation,' the ministry said in a statement. 'This initiative lays the foundation for improved transparency, coordination and administrative efficiency in the three services.' Earlier, the government notified the rules under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023 in the Gazette of India on May 27, signalling its intent to fast-track the setting up of joint services commands --- a key goal of the ongoing theaterisation drive. Such commands will consist of military elements, assets, and personnel drawn from the three services and placed under a commander-in-chief. Jointness among the three services is an essential prerequisite to the creation of theatre commands and was in focus during Operation Sindoor --- New Delhi's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. It led to a four-day confrontation that showcased the Indian military's synergy. The move came a year after the Act was notified in the gazette, empowering the government to set up Inter-Services Organisations --- including joint services commands --- and bestowing powers on the heads of such organisations to exercise command and control over the tri-services personnel serving under them to ensure discipline and effective discharge of duties. Such personnel were earlier governed by the respective laws of the three services: the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957. The setting up of theatre commands for integrated application of force, operational efficiency, and optimal resource utilisation is among the nine areas identified by the defence ministry for focused intervention in 2025, which the ministry has declared as the 'year of reforms.' Other areas include building indigenous capabilities to strengthen the armed forces, simplifying acquisition procedures for swifter capability development and new domains such as cyber and space. The theaterisation model being pursued involves raising the China-centric northern theatre command in Lucknow, the Pakistan-centric western theatre command in Jaipur, and the maritime theatre command in Thiruvananthapuram. The earlier legal framework of the armed forces had its limitations when it came to tri-services matters as officers of one service lacked the authority to exercise disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel belonging to another service. For instance, a three-star general heading a joint command could not act against air force or navy personnel serving under him. The lack of such powers had a direct impact on command, control and discipline, as earlier reported by HT.
News18
24-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
After Op Sindoor Success, Govt Takes Big Step To Boost Tri-Service Synergy
Last Updated: Rajnath Singh had stated that the precision strikes displayed seamless synergy among the three Services during Operation Sindoor In a major step towards modernising the Armed Forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to issue joint instructions and joint orders for all three Services. The move replaces the earlier system where instructions or orders to two or more services were issued by each service separately. The step comes six weeks after Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting key terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The first Joint Order on 'Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders' released on June 24, 2025, emphasises the need to streamline procedures, eliminate redundancies and enhance cross-Service cooperation. This initiative lays the foundation for improved transparency, coordination and administrative efficiency in the three Services. It also marks the beginning of a new era of jointness and integration, reinforcing the Armed Forces' unity of purpose in serving the nation, the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement. Operation Sindoor A seamless demonstration of synergy was witnessed between the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Air Force (IAF) played a crucial role in delivering precision strikes against terror infrastructure across Pakistan and PoK. It conducted high-impact air operations on targets such as the Nur Khan Air Base and the Rahimyar Khan Air Base. The IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System enabled real-time coordination of air assets, allowing Indian forces to neutralise aerial threats efficiently and maintain net-centric operations throughout the conflict, according to a statement by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The Indian Army's air defence units worked in tandem with the Air Force, deploying a wide array of systems ranging from shoulder-fired MANPADS and LLAD guns to long-range SAMs. These units were instrumental in countering waves of drones and loitering munitions launched by Pakistan after the May 7 strikes. The Indian Navy played a critical role in asserting maritime dominance during Operation Sindoor. Operating as a composite networked force, the Navy deployed its Carrier Battle Group (CBG) equipped with MiG-29K fighter jets and airborne early warning helicopters. This ensured persistent surveillance and real-time identification of threats across the maritime domain, read the statement. The Navy's presence created a strong deterrent and effectively bottled up Pakistani air elements along their western seaboard, denying them any operational space. Rajnath Singh had earlier lauded the speed, depth and clarity of the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor and stated that the precision strikes displayed seamless synergy among the three Services.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt allows single-point command for Army, Navy, Air Force via Chief of Defence Staff & DMA Secy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders applicable to the Army, Navy, and Air Force, in a step aimed at modernising the functioning of the Indian Armed Forces . The announcement marks a departure from the earlier system where each Service issued separate instructions on matters involving two or more Services. The first Joint Order titled 'Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders' was issued the same day. The order focuses on streamlining processes, removing redundancies, and enhancing coordination across the Services. The move is expected to improve administrative efficiency and foster transparency. It is also seen as a foundation for strengthening jointness in military operations and planning. Live Events According to the Ministry of Defence , this step marks the beginning of a new phase of integration across the three Services, reinforcing the Armed Forces' unity of purpose.
