Overview
- CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking Thursday at the Ran Samwad seminar, said the services have concluded talks and he expects to submit the ‘Operation Tiranga’ theatreisation proposal to the Defence Minister within about a week.
- Theatres would put all land, air and sea forces in a region under one commander to speed decisions, with the IAF to lead the Pakistan front, the Army the China front, and the Navy the maritime command.
- Each theatre would have a deputy from another service and the proposal includes creating a new four-star Vice Chief of Defence Staff to handle day-to-day joint operations.
- Under the current understanding reported by officials, Air Headquarters would retain control of strategic air assets like refuellers, transports and airborne early warning planes, while fighter squadrons would be assigned to the theatres.
- The proposal moves next to the Defence Ministry and then the Cabinet Committee on Security, with leaders calling the shift essential for multi-domain warfare after Operation Sindoor and noting that rollout sequencing and some asset-control details still require government decisions.