A CASE FOR CREATION OF A JOINT TRAINING COMMAND (JTC) FOR THE INDIAN DFENECE FORCES By

Air Cmde T Chand (Retd)

Training philosophy, infrastructure and capacity created by the Indian Defence Forces over a period of time is considered one of the best in the world. Officers and other trainees from the defence forces of many countries are also trained every year and there is spare capacity in many institutions to expand this scope. Many improvements have taken place for service specific and joint training issues and the scope and extent of the later has widened to the extent possible. There is a duplication of certain type of training institutions which many suggest can be curtailed for cost cutting but there is another view point which suggests that the sheer numbers to be trained call for more than one training institutions. The academic model of having so many affiliated colleges to one university, most of which follow same curriculum to accommodate the large number of students is quoted in support of non integration of some of the training facilities of the respective services. There are those who believe that a kind of equilibrium has already been achieved and any further disruptions will adversely affect the high 2

training standards achieved by the institutions of individual services. There is also news that “Joint training command for Army, Navy and IAF is in the works, Nagpur the likely base and this development has put Army plan to shift ARTRAC from Shimla to Meerut on hold for now1”.

HQs IDS has streamlined the setup for mentoring and controlling the tri service training institutions besides developing doctrines and concepts for the three services. There is thus a case for suggesting that since the system is working so well, there is no requirement to disturb it at present or in the near future. The need for creation of a tri service Joint Training Command (JTC) could be attributed to the creation of the DMA and the CDS institution which is likely to result in creation of Integrated Theater Commands (ITCs) in whatever forms. This paper therefore suggests necessary measures to facilitate changes in the training domain necessitated by the creation of the DMA and CDS institution.

The DMA has been tasked to ensure facilitation of restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint / theatre commands2. In the most probable scenario the task of recruiting, training and equipping the forces is likely to rest with the Services HQs. In that case very few changes would be required in the present training system except for synergy and operational training which could be provided by the modified set up, may be in the form of a JTC. The creation of the JTC could be guided by a set of principles for a cost effective transition and uninterrupted operational preparedness.

Suggested Guiding Principles

The proposed Joint Training Command (JTC) should fully serve the purpose of conceiving, executing and monitoring all present and future training needs of the new operational set up of the Indian Defence Forces under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The JTC should mentor all institutions providing training needs of the Defence Forces Personnel from recruitment to retirement. The JTC should provide a conceptual framework for actual as well as simulated training. The JTC should synergise all aspects and

1Amrita Nayak Dutta, https://theprint.in/defence/joint-training-command-for-army-navy-iaf-in-the-works-nagpur- the-likely-base/382427/ 2 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1601813

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requirements of training, covering areas hithertofore controlled by the Department of Defence (DOD) now transferred to Department of Military Affairs (DMA), HQs (IDS), Service Headquarters (SHQs) and Service Specific Training Commands. The JTC should make optimum utilisation of the existing organisations, infrastructure, training facilities and training materials. Let us first look at the requirements necessitated by the creation of the DMA.

Department Of Military Affairs (DMA) – Subjects Transferred From the Department of Defence (DoD)3

The DMA is now responsible for the Armed Forces of the Union, namely, Army, Navy and Air Force, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence comprising of Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters, the , works relating to Army, Navy and Air Force and procurement exclusive to the Services except capital acquisitions, as per prevalent rules and procedures.

The DMA is to ensure facilitation of restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint / theatre commands and for promoting use of indigenous equipment by the Services. The DMA is also responsible for promoting jointness in procurement, training and staffing of the Services through joint planning and integration of their requirements

Specific Training Related Sections and Work Transferred from DoD to DMA

Two divisions each for the Army and Air Force and one Directorate for the Navy dealing with the training matters of the three services have been transferred to the DMA4.

D(GS-Il) Division dealing with the Field Firing Ranges-notified and acquired, payment of compensation as a result of firing practice and military exercise, training of foreign army personnel in lndian Army training institutions, annual training grant, incidental and miscellaneous grants,

3Creation of New Department of Military Affairs, PIB dated 03 Feb 2020; https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1601813 4Details of Work to be transferred to DMA; dated 09 Jan 2020, https://mod.gov.in/dod/sites/default/files/AllocaDMA170120_1.pdf 4

educational training grants; examinations and exemptions to Captains and Majors, cases involving creation or upgradation of posts in MT Directorate, deputation of personnel to foreign training institutions, training of Army personnel in civil engineering institutions abroad and all matters relating to: National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai) and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington is now under the DMA.

Finalisation of the courses to be availed by defence officers under United Kingdom, Military Training Assistance Scheme (UKMTAS), finalisation of the courses to be availed by the service officers and civilian officers under United States Military Education Training Programme (USMETP), training teams and delegation to other countries from Staff Duties Dte/Army HQ, language awards, modernisation of CAT 'A' establishments (except Military Schools, RIMC and CDM), policy regarding retention/promotion examination for personnel below officers rank, policy of training pattern in the Army, Army Cadet College, conducting of courses and all administrative work relating to College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, establishment matters of Army Education Corps (AEC) and Army Physical Training Corps (APTC), printing of training publications and matters pertaining to Interpreter allowance are also dealt with by the DMA.

The D(O-Il) Division dealing with the establishment and other administrative matters such as training of Army Aviation, Mechanized Forces i.e. Armoured Corps and Mechanised lnfantry is also under the DMA now.

Sections controlling subjects relating to the (Training): D(Air-ll); which controls; training matters, fire practice ranges for lAF and Training of IAF officers in and abroad and foreign defence personnel in India and also D(Air-lV) which controls Office equipment, stationery and training aids have been transferred to the DMA.

D(Navy-ll); Section controlling subjects relating to the (Training) are also with the DMA now.

For synergising all training functions at higher level, all the training related Divisions/Sections/Directorate transferred to the DMA should be placed under one JS (Training) and should function as a link between the CDS and the JTC in whichever form it is conceived. DOT Branch of the HQs 5

Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) addresses all aspects of the joint training of the Defence Forces alongwith its other functions. A Joint Doctrine issued by it gives details of the joint training organisations and their linkages.

Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces5

Chapter 5 of the Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces lays down the conceptual framework for all integrated and joint structures. This Doctrine, pitched at the Military Strategic level, is meant to guide all members of the Indian Armed Forces, on the necessary concepts, principles, and ideals under which to achieve the higher goals set upon by the Political Leadership as deemed in the Indian Constitution. This Doctrine is a part of the initial training curriculum and re-visited at subsequent stages of training and education, to extend understanding and collative competence. The Doctrine is a reference for the policy makers, bureaucrats, technocrats, diplomats, defence industry in public/private sector and academia.

Integrated Training Structures6

Section V of the Chapter 5 (Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces) elaborates the Integrated Training Structures of the Defence Forces. “The nature of war demands that the Services fight as an integrated cohesive force. Rapid advances in technology necessitate forces on land, sea and air to reinforce and complement each other to achieve the objectives set forth. War needs to be conducted in such a manner that the Land, Air and Naval Commanders jointly formulate, orchestrate and implement war plans.

In order to fight together they need to train jointly. Hence, there is an essential need to have a common understanding of military history, doctrines, concepts and contemporary conflict environment; understand each others' Service competence, capabilities, strengths and limitations; constantly improve the control and coordination amongst the elements of the Services at tactical, operational and strategic levels thereby synergising the operational capabilities of each Service to produce a force multiplier effect in conduct of operations across the spectrum of conflict. The structures responsible for organising Joint Training are HQ IDS, SHQs,

5 https://www.ids.nic.in/IDSAdmin/upload_images/doctrine/JointDoctrineIndianArmedForces2017.pdf 6 Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces, Chapter 5, Section V - Integrated Training Structure, PP 44-46 6

Service Training Commands, Joint and Single Service Training Institutes and Operational Commands of the Services. HQ IDS is responsible for conducting and coordinating joint training through the Joint Training Committee. Joint training without troops is coordinated by Doctrine, Organisation and Training (DOT) Branch while training with troops to include synthetic/simulated and live training, is coordinated by Operations Branch, HQ IDS7. In addition, each SHQ oversees conceptual, directional and functional aspects of training in co-ordination with their Training Directorates/Training Commands and Operational Commands. For Bi Service Joint training at theatre level and below, SHQs and field formations establish linkages with each other. The Armed Forces Training Institutes (AFTIs) function under the supervision of HQ IDS, while the training institutes of the Service function under the Training Commands/HQ of the respective Service HQ. HQ IDS interacts with all the three Services and their Training Commands for coordination of Joint training. In order to make the best use of existing training institutes managed by individual Services, Joint training is conducted at these institutions on the basis of a 'Lead Service' concept. The COSC decides the lead service for such Joint training concepts and HQ IDS promulgates it. The resource management and administrative cover for such institutes is provided by the parent SHQ, while the training curriculum is decided through mutual agreement among the Services under the overall policy guidelines laid down by HQ IDS, duly ratified by the Joint Training Committee. The Joint Training Committee comprises the heads of the training divisions of the three Services under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation & Training), HQ IDS. This committee examines and recommends policy/executive decisions in respect of Joint training and AFTIs, for the consideration of COSC.

National Defence University (NDU) is being set up as a fully autonomous institution to be constituted under an Act of Parliament. The aim of NDU is to inculcate and promote co-ordination and interaction not just among the three Services but also between them and other agencies of the government like civil bureaucracy and intelligence agencies.”

The joint training apparatus of the Defence Forces revolves around the DOT Branch of HQ IDS. To synergise all aspects of training, DOT Branch of the HQs IDS may be upgraded to a JTC with certain modifications

7 ibid 7

to suit its new role. Responsibility of Joint Operational Training may also be assigned to the JTC.

Suggested Way Forward

The JTC if created should synergise training of all three services under the aegis of the CDS/HQ IDS. All the training related Sections/Directorate transferred to the DMA should be placed under one JS (Training) in the DMA and should function as a link between the CDS and the JTC. DOT Branch of the HQs IDS may be upgraded to a JTC with certain modifications to suit its new role. All the operational training requirements may also be conceived, organised, war gamed and improved by the JTC.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CENJOWS.