Operation Sindoor and the Imperative of Jointness: Reshaping Theatreisation in India’s Defence Strategy

Defence

Minister Rajnath Singh, at a seminar held at Subroto Park on Tuesday, drew on the hard lessons from Operation Sindoor -- India’s major punitive strikes earlier this year -- to reiterate the urgent need for genuine tri-service integration. He described the operation as a “living example of jointness delivering decisive results.” Yet, behind the praise lies a complex political and institutional debate, particularly as the Indian Air Force continues to express caution over the government’s flagship plan to merge the armed forces into integrated theatre commands.

Hard Lessons from Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor marked a watershed moment in India’s defence history. Beyond its tactical success, the campaign demonstrated that true tri-service integration is no longer optional but indispensable for modern warfare. The operation showcased how the Army, Navy, and Air Force, working as a unified force, achieved real-time synchronisation against a capable adversary.It shattered old assumptions -- showing that future wars cannot be won by isolated service actions but through seamless coordination, shared intelligence, and integrated command structures. Operation Sindoor stands as a living example of how joint operational awareness and synergy underpin success on the contemporary battlefield.The message is clear: India’s defence forces must institutionalise jointness. The age of compartmentalised commands and disconnected operations has passed. The threats are too complex, and the adversaries too sophisticated, to permit anything less.

Tri-Service Digital Integration: A Force Multiplier

At the heart of Operation Sindoor’s success was the flawless digital integration of the three services’ command-and-control systems. The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), the Army’s Akashteer, and the Navy’s Trigun networks were linked to create a single, unified operational picture.This wasn’t just a technological feat -- it was a force multiplier. From the highest command levels down to tactical units, commanders enjoyed real-time situational awareness across land, air, and sea. This enabled faster, more precise decisions and dramatically reduced the risk of fratricide. The digital backbone compressed decision cycles and enabled coordinated, swift action, proving that technology-enabled jointness is no longer aspirational -- it is essential.

Institutional Resistance: The IAF’s Concerns

Despite the lessons of Operation Sindoor, formalising jointness through theatre commands continues to face resistance -- most notably from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air power thrives on flexibility and centralised command, and IAF leaders, including Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, have voiced concern that geography-based commands could limit the dynamic employment of air assets.They argue that fixed boundaries risk constraining air operations, which rely on agility and the ability to “swing” assets quickly between fronts. The IAF’s concerns are rooted in preserving operational autonomy and ensuring optimal employment of scarce and high-value air platforms.This difference in operational philosophy has made theatreisation a subject of intense debate. It underscores that jointness cannot be imposed top-down -- it must be built through dialogue, trust, and mutual understanding.

Reframing Integration: Respecting Service Identities

Rajnath Singh’s stance on this issue has been pragmatic. He recognises that jointness is an operational necessity but insists that it should not come at the expense of each service’s distinct identity and doctrine.Each arm of the military faces unique operational challenges -- the Army battles extreme Himalayan conditions, the Navy secures vast maritime domains, and the Air Force must maintain agility across wide theatres. The Defence Minister’s vision seeks to balance these differences through flexible joint structures that promote cooperation while preserving operational distinctiveness.His approach reflects an understanding that integration requires cultural change as much as structural reform. It must respect traditions even as it builds new frameworks for cooperation.

Beyond Technology: Structural Reform and Cultural Shift

While Operation Sindoor showcased the power of digital integration, Rajnath Singh has cautioned that technology alone cannot drive reform. Deep-seated habits, siloed systems, and service-specific processes still hamper efficiency.To address this, the Ministry of Defence is implementing structural measures such as a Tri-Services Logistics Application—a unified system for inventory management that reduces redundancy and gives commanders real-time visibility of resources across services.However, Singh has emphasised that mindset change is paramount. Leadership across the services must view jointness not as a loss of autonomy but as an operational force multiplier. Progress will come through consensus, communication and collaboration -- not compulsion.

Expanding the Battlefield: The Multi-Domain Imperative

Modern warfare now spans far beyond traditional domains. Grey-zone tactics, cyber warfare, and hybrid threats demand an integrated national response. Rajnath Singh’s push for jointness now extends to agencies beyond the armed forces -- the Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force (BSF), and civil aviation authorities -- reflecting a whole-of-nation approach to security.This multi-domain integration acknowledges that future conflicts will involve coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, space and the electromagnetic spectrum. Building such synergy is essential for national preparedness and resilience.

Theatreisation as a Strategic Imperative

Operation Sindoor proved beyond doubt the operational advantages of tri-service integration. It provided not only proof of concept but a blueprint for India’s future defence posture.As threats grow more complex, India can no longer afford to delay theatreisation. The Defence Minister’s balanced, consensus-driven approach -- one that respects service autonomy while fostering unified command -- must guide the transition.Returning to service silos would be a strategic setback. The creation of Indian-style integrated theatre commands is now not just an organisational reform -- it is a national security necessity. Jointness, built on technology, trust, and adaptability, is the key to ensuring India’s armed forces remain agile, unified, and ready for the wars of tomorrow.