Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has clearly said that it is very important and will remain today or tomorrow. General Dwivedi’s statement came after the statement of Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh in which he opposed the creation of theater command.

Apart from the release of a book written on Operation Sindoor in the country’s capital Delhi, the Chief of Army, while talking to the media on-camera, said that the theater command will be formed. Because it is very much needed. General Dwivedi also explained why the theater command is needed.

Army Chief gave information about the need for theater command

According to Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, “In today’s time, the battle is not only fighting the army, but BSF, ITBP, ISRO, Civil Aviation, Railways and Intelligence agencies also participate in the fight. In such a situation, the Unity of Command is very important. So the country needs a (top) commander who can give directions to all.”

On the lines of the top armies of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also insisted on creating a common and integrated command of the country’s armies (Army, Air Force and Navy). The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted to create theater command even in its election manifesto of 2024.

The post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) was also created in the year 2019 so that the process of creating theater commands can be easier. The current CDS General Anil Chauhan and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi are also in favor of creating theater commands in the country.

What did the Air Force chief say about the theater command

However, the Air Force chief has lodged his objection to the creation of theater command. In the Ran-dialogue program held at Army War College, Mhow in Indore last month, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh advocated to maintain an operational responsibility on the shoulders of the heads of the CDS and the three wings of the army instead of creating the theater command.

Air Force strength will be divided by the formation of theater command

The Air Force chief believes that the Air Force has very few fighter jets and other military aircraft. If the theater command is created, then the challenge of distributing the power of the Air Force will be revealed. Currently, there are 17 different commands of Army, Air Force and Navy in the country. Apart from this, there are three (03) shared commands. But under the reform in the defense sector, only 4-5 commands will remain when the Army, Air Force and Navy are formed.

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