New Delhi: In a landmark decision aimed at bringing reforms in higher defence management in the country, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief.
The Chief of Defence Staff will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to be created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar said at a press briefing here.
Under the Department of Military Affairs, the areas that will be dealt with include the Armed Forces of the country -- the Army, the Navy and the Air Force -- Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence comprising Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters, the Territorial Army and procurement exclusive to the armed forces except capital acquisitions.
The Department of Military Affairs will be mandated to promoting jointness in procurement, training and staffing for the Services through joint planning and integration of their requirements, facilitation of restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilization of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/theatre commands and promoting use of indigenous equipment by the Services.
The Chief of Defence Staff, apart from being the head of the Department of Military Affairs, will also be the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
He will act as the Principal Military Adviser to Defence Minister on all tri-Services matters.
The three Chiefs will continue to advise Defence Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective forces.
The CDS will not exercise any military command, including over the three forces chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership of the country.
According to an official release, as the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, the CDS will perform a number of functions including administering tri-services organizations, commands related to Cyber and Space will be under the CDS.
The CDS will be member of Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister and Defence Planning Committee chaired by National Security Adviser.
The CDS will function as the Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority and also bring about jointness in operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three forces within three years of the first CDS assuming office.
The CDS will be tasked to ensure optimal utilization of infrastructure and rationalize it through jointness among the services.
Another important role of the CDS would be to implement Five-Year Defence Capital Acquisition Plan (DCAP) and Two-Year roll-on Annual Acquisition Plans (AAP), as a follow up of Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP).
The CDS will also be responsible for assigning inter-Services prioritization to capital acquisition proposals based on the anticipated budget.
The CDS will bring about reforms in the functioning of three Services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces by reducing wasteful expenditure.
It is expected that this reform in the Higher Defence Management would enable the Armed Forces to implement coordinated defence doctrines and procedures and go a long way in fostering jointmanship among the three Services.
The Cabinet nod follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on this year’s Independence Day address wherein he said, "India should not have a fragmented approach. Our entire military power will have to work in unison and move forward. All the three (Services) should move simultaneously at the same pace. There should be good coordination and it should be relevant to the hope and aspirations of our people. It should be in line with the changing war and security environment with the world. After formation of this post (CDS), all the three forces will get effective leadership at the top level."
