Joint Logistics Node

• 28 Apr 2021

Why in News

The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has operationalised the third Joint Logistics Node (JLN) in Mumbai.

• Other operationalised JLNs are in Guwahati and Port Blair.

Key Points

• Significance of Joint Logistics Nodes:
  
  • These JLNs will provide integrated logistics cover to the Armed Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts.
  • It would accrue advantages in terms of saving of manpower, economical utilisation of resources, besides financial savings.
  • This is the precursor to the joint logistics command which is being planned and is imperative for the optimisation of the combat potential of integrated theatres.
    
    • One of the means to achieve jointness is through the setting up of integrated theatre commands for the best use of military resources to fight future battles.
• Integrated Theatre Command:
  
  • An integrated theatre command envisages a unified command of the three Services, under a single commander, for geographical theatres (areas) that are of strategic and security concern.
  • The commander of such a force will be able to bear all resources at his disposal—from the Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Navy—with seamless efficacy.
  • The integrated theatre commander will not be answerable to individual Services.
  • Integration and jointness of the three forces will avoid duplication of resources. The resources available under each service will be available to other services too.
  • The services will get to know one another better, strengthening cohesion in the defence establishment.
  • The Shekatkar committee has recommended the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands—northern for the China border, western for the Pakistan border, and southern for the maritime role.
• Present Tri-Services Command:
  
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is a theatre command, which is headed by the chiefs of the three services in rotation.
    
    • It was created in 2001 to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca by increasing rapid deployment of military assets in the islands.
  • The Strategic Forces Command was established in 2006 and is a functional tri-services command. It looks after the delivery and operational control of the country’s nuclear assets.

Chief of Defence Staff

• About:
  
  • He is in the rank of a four-star General with salary and benefits equivalent to a Service Chief.
  • The retirement age for the CDS is 65 years, which is three years more than the retirement age of the three service chiefs.
  • The creation of a CDS was suggested by the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) in February 2000.
• Role of CDS: Fundamentally, the CDS will perform two roles:
  
  • First Role: The CDS will act as the principal military adviser to the defence minister on tri-Services issues.
  • Second Role: The CDS will lead the Department of Military Affairs (DoMA) dealing with the three services.

Source:TH