India Needs Integrated Defence Strategy to Counter China's Missile Threat: Lt Gen Shankar

India Defense

India Needs Integrated Defence Strategy to Counter China's Missile Threat: Lt Gen Shankar

India's defense strategy must evolve to counter the increasing missile threats from regional adversaries like China, advocating for integrated military operations and enhanced strategic coordination.


In a recent lecture at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), Lt General P.R. Shankar (Retd) highlighted the critical role of missiles in modern warfare and the growing threat they pose to regional stability. He emphasized that China is increasingly relying on its missile arsenal to intimidate its neighbors and that India could soon face similar coercion. "The day is not far when they will start coercing us (India). Their way of coercing is firing," warned Lt Gen Shankar.


Global Examples of Missile Coercion

Lt Gen Shankar provided several examples of how countries use missiles to exert strategic pressure:

  • North Korea uses its missile program to threaten Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
  • Iran employs missiles to compensate for its limited air force capabilities.
  • Russia, in its conflict with Ukraine, relies on missiles to deter NATO intervention.


India's Strategic Needs

To counter these evolving threats, Lt Gen Shankar argued that India needs to adopt an integrated defense strategy that promotes jointness among its military branches. He outlined several key elements:

1. Cross-Domain Coordination: Ensuring that the Army, Navy, and Air Force operate together effectively across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.

2. Unified Command Structures: Developing command structures that facilitate joint operations and streamline decision-making processes.

3. Efficient Resource Utilization: Allocating resources to leverage the strengths of each service branch.


Current Shortcomings and Recommendations

Despite India's technical capabilities in missile production, Lt Gen Shankar pointed out several critical shortcomings:

  • Reconnaissance-Strike Integration: India needs better integration between its reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
  • Dedicated Command and Control Systems: There is a need for a specialized system to manage long-range firepower.
  • Cohesive National Security Strategy: A unified strategy that includes stakeholders like ISRO and DRDO is essential.


He also criticized the lack of jointness among India's armed forces, noting that "each service has its own philosophy at variance with the other." For instance, the Army's decision to reduce rocket regiments and the lack of integrated surveillance and targeting capabilities in the Indian Artillery were highlighted as significant issues.


Conclusion

Lt Gen Shankar's lecture underscores the urgent need for India to adapt its defense strategy to address the growing missile threat from China and other adversaries. By fostering jointness, integrating defense systems, and developing a comprehensive national security strategy, India can better safeguard its interests and deter potential threats. As regional tensions rise, these steps will be crucial for maintaining stability and security.

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