Kolkata, Sept 18 — The armed forces will establish three new joint military stations on the mainland and merge their education branches into a single corps as part of a sweeping set of reforms finalised at the Combined Commanders’ Conference, officials said on Tuesday.
The three-day meet, held in Kolkata from September 15 to 17, concluded with announcements aimed at deepening integration between the Army, Navy and Air Force. The office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, who also heads the Department of Military Affairs, released the details.
Until now, the only tri-services command with joint facilities has been in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The upcoming mainland stations are intended to enhance synergy among the Services, officials noted.
Another major reform involves the creation of a Tri-Services Education Corps, which will unify the education branches of the three Services under a common cadre. Training institutions such as the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and the IAF Academy will all come under its purview.
The conference also saw the release of India’s first Joint Military Space Doctrine, institutionalising space as a central component of national security.
General Chauhan reviewed earlier directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, both of whom stressed the need for speed in achieving jointness and integration to confront future challenges. A statement from the Ministry of Defence said deliberations focused on interoperability, streamlined decision-making, and reforms in space, cyber, information and special operations. It added that the Services would pursue a technology-led approach, embedding innovations into operational doctrine.
A post from the CDS office on X said the conference had “identified and finalised the most important transformations required that will drive impactful changes in the future.”
This year’s theme, “Year of Reforms — Transforming for the Future,” was reflected in a series of demonstrations, including a live air defence drill that showcased integrated surveillance, missile defence and counter-drone capabilities.
The annual conference brought together senior leaders from the Ministry of Defence and the three Services, serving as the apex forum to discuss evolving security dynamics along India’s borders and in wider strategic theatres.
