CHIEF
OF DEFENCE STAFF - DEFENCE & SECURITY
News:
Chief Of Defence Staff,
US Indo-Pacific Command Affirm Strong Defence Ties
What's
in the news?
●
India's senior-most military official,
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, along with Admiral John Christopher
Aquilino of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM) discussed
contemporary security challenges and affirmed stronger ties between both
countries.
Key
takeaways:
●
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ
IDS) stated that the two discussed contemporary security challenges and issues
of mutual strategic interest and
bilateral defence cooperation.
Chief
of Defence Staff:
●
In December 2019, the Union Cabinet had
given approval to create the post of CDS
in the rank of a four-star General and then Army Chief Gen Rawat was
appointed for the post.
●
CDS is the rank of a four-star General
with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief and then Army Chief
General.
●
General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the
first CDS.
●
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a
member of:
○
Chiefs of Staff Committee
○
National Security Council
○
Defence Acquisition Council
○
Defence Planning Committee
○
Nuclear Command Authority
○
Defence Cyber Agency
○
Defence Space Agency
Organization:
●
The DMA was created as the fifth department in the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) with the CDS functioning as its Secretary.
●
To act as the primary military advisor to the government.
●
To create
jointness among the armed forces.
●
To facilitate creation of integrated theater commands.
●
To help in prioritizing capital
acquisition for the modernisation of the forces.
Mandate:
●
The mandate of the CDS includes bringing
about jointness in “operations, logistics, transport, training, support
services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three Services, within
three years of the first CDS assuming office.”
Role
in Defence Procurement:
●
While capital procurements are still with
the DoD, the prioritisation is with the CDS.
Recent
Amendment:
The government in a
recent notification has amended the service rules of the armed forces, related
to the eligibility for the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Amendments
to service rules:
1.
Vacancy: Since India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat had died,
the post has been vacant. The government amended the service rules of the armed
forces to fill the vacancy.
2.
Intent of the amendment: To make all serving and recently retired three-star and four-star officers
from the three services who are under the age of 62 eligible for the post of
CDS.
3.
Three-star officers: Lt General, Air Marshal and Vice Admiral.
4.
Four-star officers: The CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army,
Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
5.
Amended Rules & regulations: To enable the three star
officer’s appointment to the post of CDS, the government has amended the Army
Rules, 1954; the Naval Ceremonial, Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous
Regulations, 1963; and the Air Force Regulations, 1964.
6.
Service Extension: The government also has notified possible
extension of the service of the CDS if deemed necessary subject to a maximum
age of 65 years.