The proposed Integrated Theatre Commands would unite the army, navy and air force in India’s biggest military shake-up since independence
4-MIN READ4-MINJunaid KathjuPublished: 10:00am, 10 Jun 2026India is moving closer to undertaking its biggest military revamp since independence, with the army, navy and air force placed under commanders overseeing specific theatres of conflict, amid concerns over whether such a set-up can simultaneously counter China and Pakistan.Analysts said the debate over the proposed Integrated Theatre Commands is not just about a streamlining exercise but whether India’s military could be cohesive enough to deal with border disputes and evolving threats.
The long-delayed plan was submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last month and now awaits approval from his ministry and the Cabinet Committee on Security. It would see India’s current system of 17 army, navy and air force commands, which largely operate within their separate structures, replaced with joint commands organised around geography and threat.
A Northern Theatre Command focused on China would be based in Lucknow, while a Western Theatre Command responsible for Pakistan would be based in Jaipur. A Maritime Theatre Command in Thiruvananthapuram would oversee India’s interests across the Indian Ocean. The three commands are expected to be led by army, air force and navy officers, respectively.
“The concern in India right now is that the military may not have the luxury of dealing with one challenge at a time any more. Earlier, China and Pakistan were largely viewed as separate security problems. But increasingly, there is a feeling that any future crisis could involve pressure from both directions, either simultaneously or in ways that are linked,” Kumar said.
