Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has said that the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor will play a key role in shaping India’s upcoming theatre command structure. Speaking on Tuesday, General Chauhan highlighted that the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May demonstrated the effectiveness of joint operations and underscored the need for a formal framework for integrated warfare.
The CDS stated that the experience of Operation Sindoor, which saw coordinated actions across the Army, Navy and Air Force, proved the strength of jointness and synergy in modern conflict scenarios. “Jointness and integration were on full display during Operation Sindoor, and there is a need for a formalised structure to ensure synergised operations,” General Chauhan said. He emphasised that the ongoing process of theatre command formation would incorporate the operational and strategic insights gained from the mission. A key area of focus, he added, would be defining the role and responsibilities of service chiefs during joint operations to ensure seamless command and control.
The proposed theatreisation model seeks to bring the three services under unified commands based on geographical and functional domains, aimed at improving coordination and response capabilities during conflicts. Senior defence officials have noted that Operation Sindoor served as a real-time test of India’s joint warfare capabilities, revealing both strengths and areas requiring refinement. The CDS’s comments indicate that the reform will draw heavily from these operational experiences to create a more agile and integrated force structure.
General Chauhan reiterated that India’s theatre command plan is being developed through consensus and detailed analysis to ensure operational efficiency and clarity of leadership. The move marks a significant step towards achieving the long-envisioned goal of integrated defence management and joint operational readiness.
