Posting of Army officers to Naval and Air Force units is only paying lip-service to the idea of integration and not really achieving the desired synergy.
Once relieved of DMA, the CDS would then be able to perform his advisory and operational role as CJCSC better and there would not be a need for a separate CJCSC.
The fact that the Narendra Modi government waited nine months to appoint Gen Anil Chauhan as the second CDS shows that it has complete faith and trust in him.
India’s military leaders have valuable foreign experience that they have gained from ground operations, professional military education and defence diplomacy.
The absence of a National Security Strategy and revised Raksha Mantri’s Operational Directives means the Indian Armed Forces plan and operate in an ad hoc manner.
It seems CDS eligibility has been tweaked to pick a specific retired Lt Gen or Army Commander. The spin of 'deep selection' to find the 'meritorious' is just a charade.
Opening the choice for CDS outside of serving or ex-chiefs can unleash the demons of ambitions and cut-throat competition to impress the political leadership.
The armed forces account for nearly 15 per cent of India’s annual expenditure. RTI Act is a precious tool to keep a check on corruption in procurements, constructions and defence deals.
IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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