BackPOLITICS
India eyes wartime edge with new joint doctrines
India plans to release two joint warfighting doctrines for ISR and targeting to bolster jointness and faster decision-making ahead of theatre commands. The moves come as the government advances theaterisation, with a new CDS to take charge later in May 2026 and three proposed theatre commands.
Why It Matters
The doctrines aim to fuse sensors and lessons across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, enabling quicker, more coordinated military action and supporting the theatre-command reform.
Timeline
7 Events
NS Raja Subramani to become CDS
May 30, 2026
Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani is set to take charge as India's Chief of Defence Staff on May 30, 2026, as part of the leadership transition ahead of theatreisation.
Theatre commands model outline: Lucknow, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram
May 12, 2026
The model envisages three theatre commands: a China-centric northern theatre command in Lucknow, a Pakistan-centric western theatre command in Jaipur, and a maritime theatre command in Thiruvananthapuram.
Two joint doctrines for ISR and targeting prepared by IDS
May 12, 2026
Two joint doctrines—one for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and one for targeting—prepared by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff are expected to be issued within two months, forming the foundational framework for data fusion and faster decision-making.
Outgoing CDS Chauhan submitted theatreisation proposal
May 2026
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan reportedly submitted a detailed proposal to the defence minister to advance theatreisation.
May 2025 clash with Pakistan and push for jointness rules
May 2025
Weeks after the May 7-10 clash with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, India notified new rules under an overarching law to boost jointness and operational synergy in the armed forces.
Joint doctrines released for integrated comms, SF, airborne/heliborne, and multi-domain operations
2025
India has already released joint doctrines for integrated communication architecture, Special Forces operations, airborne and heliborne operations, and multi-domain operations.
Theatre commands identified as key intervention area for 2025
2025
The government identified the establishment of theatre commands for integrated application of force, operational efficiency, and optimal resource utilisation as a key intervention area in 2025.