The broad array of challenges both existing and potential to the National Security in the fast changing geo-strategic security environment mandate a periodical re-appraisal of our security procedures to cope with them.  The Government, keeping this in view, instituted a comprehensive review of the National Security System in its entirety for the first time in the history of independent India.  For details see 'Reforming the National Security System-Recommendations of the Group of Ministers in the NEW ADDITIONS'. The review was carried out by a Group of Ministers (GOM) constituted on April 17, 2000.  The GOM consisted of the Home Minister, the Raksha Mantri, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister.  The GOM made recommendation regarding reforms in Defence Management. The process of implementation of the recommendations was initiated in 2001. These reforms have brought about improvements in the organizations, structures and processes for the integration of civil and military components. Some of the major reforms are detailed in the following paragraphs.  

Integrated Defence Staff : A decision regarding the recommendation of the Group of Ministers for creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has not been taken by the Government as yet pending consultation with political parties. However, with a view to ensure higher degree of jointness amongst the Services and attempt inter-service and intra-service prioritization, the Government has set up the Integrated Defence Staff, headed by the Chief of Integrated Staff to Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), to support the Chiefs of Staff Committee and its Chairman in the optimal performance of their roles and functions. The CISC supervises the Integrated Defence Staff, chairs all multi-Service bodies and the Defence Crisis Management Group (DCMG) and is also responsible for the coordination of long-range plans, five year plans and annual budgetary proposals of the three Services in consultation and co-ordination with the Integrated Services Headquarters. The CISC renders advice to the Government on prioritization for developing force levels and capabilities through restructuring proposals, undertakes net assessment comprising the totality of the national capability, formulates joint doctrines in consultation with Service Headquarters, conceptualises policy and programmes on joint planning and military education for personnel of Defence Services, render advice for evolving responses to non-conventional and unconventional threats to national security and proposes measures to be taken for ensuring the required jointness amongst the Armed Forces and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning process through intra and inter-Service prioritization.

Defence Intelligence Agency : The Government has also set up the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) under DG DIA to co-ordinate and synergise the intelligence Wings of the Services. The DIA is responsible for providing integrated intelligence inputs to the higher echelons of Defence Management.

Defence Acquisition Council : The Government has set up a Defence Acquisition Council headed by the Raksha Mantri for decision making in regard to the totality of the new planning process, which inter-alia involves according ‘in principle' approval of capital acquisitions in the long term perspective plan and according ‘in principle' approval for each capital acquisition programme. The decisions flowing from the Defence Acquisition Council are to be implemented by the following three Boards:-

(i)         Defence Procurement Board headed by the Defence Secretary;

(ii)        Defence Production Board headed by the Secretary, Defence Production and

(iii)       Defence Research & Development Board headed by Secretary Defence Research & Development. 

These Boards have been entrusted with specific functions.  A Defence Acquisition Wing headed by Special Secretary (Acquisition) has also been created to assist the Defence Procurement Board in its functioning.

The new structures are intended to facilitate expeditious decision-making in an integrated manner in areas relating to acquisitions for the three Services while at the same time imparting a higher degree of transparency and cost effectiveness to the process of acquisition of equipment, weapon and weapon systems. For Defence  Procurement Organisation and Defence Procurement Procedures-02 (June 03 version )  please  see ‘NEW ADDITIONS'. 

Defence Technology Council (DTC) : Defence Technology Council has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri by the Government to provide guidance and supervision of growth and promotion of research, development and production related to Defence Technologies. DTC will assist the Defence Acquisition Council in taking holistic decisions on specific Defence Projects related to long term perspective plans and five year plans.

Andaman and Nicobar Command : The first tri-Service Joint Command was established in October 2001 in Andaman and Nicobar under the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) who exercises control over all force components of the three Services and the Coast Guard located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  The C-in-C, Andaman and Nicobar Command reports to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.

HEADQURATERS INTEGRATED DEFENCE STAFF (HQIDS): Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) was created on October 1, 2001 as a sequel to the decision by the Group of Ministers based on Kargil Committee Report. The staff of HQ IDS is provided from three Services, MEA, DRDO, Armed Forces HQ (AFHQ) Civil Services and DoD.    IDS is presently functioning as staff in the advisory mode to the Chairman COSC, and is headed by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman COSC (CISC).

Jointness within the Services : One of the primary objectives of HQ IDS is to promote jointness within the Services. Jointness is aimed at obtaining optimal operational and cost effectiveness in the current and envisaged future geopolitical environment. It will also enable the services to operate seamlessly with common understanding of missions and joint strategies to accomplish them. This would entail bringing about transformation and reforms within the armed forces. The vertical and horizontal aspects of integration have been identified and are being put into place in an organized and logical manner through the establishment of inter-service committees, functioning in and with HQ IDS.

HQ IDS has achieved a number of milestones within a short span in promoting the concept of jointness within the services.  

Defence Planning Process : The Defence Planning Process is being strengthened as part of the follow up to the Group of Minister's Report on Security.  As a first step, Draft National Security Strategy has been prepared and forwarded to National Security Adviser. 

Joint Doctrines: Joint Doctrine for Defence Forces and Joint Amphibious Warfare Doctrine have already been released whereas the Joint Special Forces Doctrine, Joint Psychological Operations Doctrine, Joint Sub-conventional Warfare Doctrine and Joint Space Doctrine are in advance stages of preparation.

Defence Space Vision (DSV) 2020: HQ IDS has been nominated as the tri Service single window for interaction in space by all agencies including external ones. An Integrated Space Cell has been established to co-ordinate space issues and formulate a Draft Space Doctrine.

Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP):  A  LTIPP focusing on the Joint Conventional Edge, capabilities to be achieved, aspects of commonality of equipment; inter-Service prioritization and indigenization has been prepared to cover the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th Plan periods.

Integration between DRDO and Services:         HQ IDS has carried out analysis of DRDO's 11^th Plan and a sincere effort to synchronise it with the Services 11^th Defence Plan has been made.

Joint Intelligence Assessments:   With the establishment of the Defence Intelligence Agency, integration of service intelligence agencies and a common assessment of strategic intelligence inputs is now available to defence planners.

Joint Exercises:  A number of joint exercises with other countries have been conducted by HQ IDS. The latest, AMPHEX 07, was a major tri service exercise undertaken to validate the Joint Amphibious Doctrine.  

Think Tank Organisation:  Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) was inaugurated on August 27, 2007. The main objectives of CENJOWS, which will function under HQ IDS, are conduct of studies and research work in Joint War-fighting, organisation of orientation courses/ capsules for various Ministries/ Agencies connected with HQ IDS/ Services and promotion of Jointmanship amongst Services, Ministries and Intelligence Agencies involved in National Security.

Promoting Jointness: To promote jointness at all levels within the Services HQ IDS has launched ‘The Purple Pages', its bi-annual magazine on jointness. The magazine aims at providing a forum for all members of the services and the strategic community to share their views on the existing jointness and also propose options for the way ahead.

SERVICES HEADQUARTERS

The three Services Headquarters, viz., the Army Headquarters, the Naval Headquarters and the Air Headquarters function under the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) respectively.  They are assisted by their Principal Staff Officers (PSOs).  The Inter-Service Organisations, under the Department of Defence are responsible for carrying out tasks related to common needs of the three Services such as medical care, public relations and personnel management of civilian staff in the Defence Headquarters.

A number of Committees dealing with defence related activities assist the Raksha Mantri. The Chiefs of Staff Committee is a forum for the Service Chiefs to discuss matters having a bearing on the activities of the Services and also to advise the Ministry.  The position of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee devolves on the longest serving Chief of Staff, and consequently rotates amongst the three Services.  To facilitate the work of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, a number of sub-committees have been established.

The Finance Division of the Ministry of Defence Finance Division in the Ministry of Defence deals with all matters having financial implications. It is fully integrated with the Ministry of Defence and performs an advisory role.

To achieve greater efficiency in administration, expeditious disposal and transparency, Ministry of Defence exercises financial powers in consultation with the Finance Division as per the procedure laid down in the Defence Procurement Procedure 2006 and Defence Procurement Manual 2006. The Defence Procurement Procedure deals with capital acquisitions and Defence Procurement Manual deals with revenue procurements.

E-Procurements is one of the Thrust Areas approved by the Prime Minister for the year 2007. Accordingly, steps have been taken to enhance the scope of e-procurement in DRDO. This would facilitate tender inquiries being sent electronically to a bigger than usual set of vendors and improve competition/ transparency as well as cut down delays. Pilot projects for procurement of common user items have been taken up in five administrative units and designated officers have been entrusted with digital signatures.

Finance Division prepares and monitors Defence Services Estimates, Civil Estimates of the Ministry of Defence and the Estimates in respect of Defence Pensions. Break-up of the actual expenditure for the years 2005-06 and 2006-07, as also the Revised Estimates for 2007-08 and Budget Estimates for 2008-09 are given as under:

Defence Expenditure

Service/ Department-wise Break-up of Defence Expenditure

(Rs. in crores)

DDP     -   Department of Defence Production

DGOF   -   Directorate General Ordnance Factories

DGQA   -   Directorate General of Quality Assurance

DR&D     -    Defence Research and Development

Establishment of Armed Forces Tribunal

Armed Forces Tribunal Bill, 2005 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in September 2005. The Standing Committee of Parliament on Defence examined the Bill and gave its recommendations in May 2006. The Ministry considered the recommendations and moved certain amendments in the Rajya Sabha in December 2007. Both the Houses have passed the Bill in the Winter Session of the Parliament in December 2007. The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 has been notified on 28 th December 2007. Necessary follow up action is being taken on priority to set up the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal in New Delhi .