Joint Doctrine for Amphibious and Cyberspace Operations

• 19 Sep 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting. 

• Earlier CDS also released the Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations.

What are Joint Doctrines for Amphibious and Cyberspace Operations?

• Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations: The Doctrine is a keystone publication providing guidance to Commanders for Amphibious Operations in a complex military environment.
  • The amphibious capability enhances the Armed Forces' ability to undertake a wide range of operations within the Indian Ocean Region, in both wartime and peacetime scenarios. 
  • These operations constitute a vital aspect of multi-domain military engagements and exemplify the highest level of coordination and integration among the Armed Forces.
• Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations: Cyberspace is the global network of entities, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, that process, store, and transmit digital information and code, whether connected or independent.
  • In addition to the conventional domains of warfare—land, sea, and air—cyberspace has emerged as a critical and complex domain in modern warfare, requiring dedicated focus and strategy.
  • The doctrine highlights the military dimensions of cyberspace operations, providing strategic guidance for commanders, staff, and practitioners in planning and executing cyberspace operations, while also raising awareness among military personnel at all levels.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Background: 
  • Its creation was recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) that was tasked with studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.
  • After the GoM recommendations, in preparation for the post of CDS, the government created the Integrated Defence Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.
  • In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the appointment of a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a midway to eliminate apprehensions over the CDS.
  • Finally, the post of CDS was created in 2019 on the recommendations of a committee of defence experts headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
    • General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the country and was appointed on 31st December 2019.
• Roles and Responsibilities: 
  • He also heads the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence.
  • The CDS will be the single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister on matters involving all three services and the service chiefs will be obliged to confine their counsel to issues pertaining to their respective services.
  • As the head of DMA, CDS is vested with the authority in prioritising inter-service procurement decisions as Permanent Chairman-Chiefs of Staff Committee.
  • The CDS is also vested with the authority to provide directives to the three chiefs. However, he does not enjoy any command authority over any of the forces.
  • CDS is first among equals, he enjoys the rank of Secretary within the DoD (Department of Defence) and his powers will be confined to only the revenue budget.
  • He will also perform an advisory role in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: (2009)

1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.
2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Q. In the context of the Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’? (2008)

(a) Aircraft-carrying warship

(b) Missile-carrying submarine

(c) Advanced light helicopter

(d) Intercontinental ballistic missile

Ans: (c)