Indian military unveils joint training doctrine to boost tri-service integration
After finalizing a joint war doctrine earlier this year, The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have prepared a joint training doctrine. The 'Joint Training Doctrine, Indian Armed Forces - 2017' is a 51-page document which aims to "promote 'synergy' and 'integration' among the three Services and other stakeholders leading to an enhanced efficiency and optimum utilization of resources," a Defense Ministry statement says.
Joint doctrine to promote integration
The joint training doctrine was released by Chiefs of Staff Committee, which comprises of Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, IAF Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, and Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat. The Defense Ministry said, "This document will also go a long way in 'fostering initiative' and 'stimulating creativity' for promoting 'integration' between the three services."
Training doctrine stems from the previously released joint war doctrine
In April, the 'Joint Doctrine, Indian Armed Forces -2017' was released which laid out how the three services could work together to tackle conventional wars and hybrid conflict. The war doctrine highlighted the need for joint cooperation against the "emerging triad" of space, cyberspace and special operations. Based on this, the Indian military is working towards building an integrated land-air-sea war-fighting machinery.
Three services to fight same war, must train together
"The three Services fight the same war at the end of the day. So, there is the need to train together for it," a military officer said. The officer said this is the first time such a document has been conceptualized. It brings out at the macro-level the approach to joint training, fundamentals, objectives, joint structures, planning and other aspects.
