Sunday, 23 Mar, 2025
LCA Tejas is a cutting-edge multi-role fighter that was designed by the Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Image Source: The Statesman
The theaterisation of military commands was first announced by PM Modi from the red fort on August 15, 2019.
At the Yelahanka-based Air Force Station, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi set the tone for the big Aero India-2025 on Sunday by taking to the skies in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. For the first time, two Indian military service chiefs were on a military aircraft. According to General Dwivedi, the flight was the highlight of his life. This comes at a time when the Ministry of Defence is greatly pushing for the theaterisation of the military commands. LCA Tejas is a cutting-edge multi-role fighter that was designed by the Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and intended to meet the demands of India's military forces while lowering dependency on imports.
Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force took a flight on a Tejas aircraft in September 2024. The defence ministry then stated that their combined involvement in the exercise is a "powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities, commitment to self-reliance and showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India's armed forces." It also shows the increasing emphasis on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces collaborating to meet contemporary challenges.
In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did a sortie in Tejas at Bengaluru, becoming the first PM to fly a fighter aircraft sortie. During Aero India 2019, former Army Staff Chief General Bipin Rawat, who went on to become India's first Chief of Defence Staff, also flew in the Tejas trainer variant.
According to sources, establishment of the military theatre commands is one of the topmost priorities of the government. The Armed Forces have worked out a mechanism for creating integrated theatre commands. They are currently considering appointing a Vice Chief of Defence Staff and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. Theaterisation is a concept that tries to integrate the capabilities of the three services - army, air force, and navy - in order to best use their resources during conflicts and operations. A theatre command/unit will be established by combining elements/assets from all three services. Each command is assigned a certain geographic region, incorporating resources from all three services for operational responsibilities.
The reorganisation of the current military commands into three integrated theatre commands was recommended by the Shekatkar Committee. The mandate of the Committee was ‘to suggest measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces.’ The Committee looked at ways to modernise, streamline and strengthen the defence forces. On August 4, the Lok Sabha passed the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, which sought to empower the Centre to notify the setting up of theatre commands. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 8.
Talking about the indigenous defence production, India recorded the highest ever growth in the domestic defence production in value terms in the Financial Year 2023-24, with the figure crossing the mark of ₹1.27 lakh crore. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence has attributed the growth to the successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government directed towards maximising indigenous defence production and enabling participation of private companies like defence startups and MSMEs in the domestic defence production.
India’s Defence production (In ₹Crore)
Source: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
Approximately 79.2 percent of 2023–24's total value of production (VoP) came from DPSUs and other PSUs, with the private sector accounting for the remaining 20.8 percent. The data demonstrates that both the private sector and DPSUs/PSUs have seen a consistent increase in defence output in terms of absolute value. The industry, comprising DPSUs and other PSUs that produce defence items, as well as the private sector, were commended by Shri Rajnath Singh for bringing defence output to a record level.
By 2028–2029, the government wants to almost quadruple India's yearly defence output to ₹3 lakh crore. The goal for defence exports is more than doubled, from the current level of ₹21,083 crore to ₹50,000 crore. The overall annual defence output target for 2024–2025 is ₹1,75,000 crore, including exports valued at ₹35,000 crore.
Coming over to defence exports, New Delhi’s defence exports crossed the ₹21,000 crore mark for the first time in 2023-24 and the defence ministry has set a target of increasing it to ₹50,000 crore in the next five years. Weapon Simulators, Torpedo Loading Mechanisms, Alarm Monitoring & Control, Night Vision Monocular & Binocular, Light Weight Torpedo & Fire Control Systems, Armored Protection Vehicles, Weapons Locating Radar, HF Radio, Coastal Surveillance Radar, etc. are some of the major defence equipment exported over the past five years. At present, the exports are being made to more than 90 countries all over the world. Names of the countries cannot be divulged due to strategic reasons. Over 100 firms are actively exporting defence products. Multiple sophisticated defence systems including 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Guns, Brahmos Missiles, etc, have been exported to other countries.
India’s Defence Exports (In ₹Crore)
Source: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
In order to promote indigenous defence production with special focus on participation of MSMEs and start-ups by bridging gaps in defence testing infrastructure in the country, Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme has been launched to boost domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing.
Historically, India relied heavily on foreign countries for its defence needs, with about 65-70% of defence equipment being imported. However, this landscape has dramatically shifted, with around 65% of defence equipment now manufactured within India. This transformation reflects the country's commitment to self-reliance in this critical sector and underscores the strength of its defence industrial base, which comprises 16 Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs), over 430 licensed companies, and approximately 16,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
As part of the Make in India initiative, major defence platforms such as the Dhanush Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, submarines, frigates, corvettes, and the recently commissioned INS Vikrant have been developed, reflecting the growing capabilities of India's defence sector.
The theaterisation of military commands was first announced by PM Modi from the red fort on August 15, 2019.
