Preparations begin for Integrated Theatre Command in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Initial steps have started to set up a joint command in Thiruvananthapuram by coordinating the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Navy is leading the way. The headquarters of the Integrated Theatre Command is in Akkulam. The mission is to confront threats from the sea. The joint command is likely to be announced when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Thiruvananthapuram in December for the Navy Day celebrations.

Senior officers from the Navy and Air Force are being posted alternately in both services. Air Force officers have also been posted to the Army's Military Engineering Service. Joint training has also started.

With the arrival of the joint command, Thiruvananthapuram will morph to become a prominent defence hub in the country. The command zeroed in on Thiruvananthapuram, considering the proximity to Vizhinjam port and VSSC. Thiruvananthapuram is only 10 nautical miles away from the international shipping lane. China’s worrying presence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives also led to the establishment of the command in Thiruvananthapuram.

Currently, the Army and Air Force have seven commands each, and the Navy has three. The Southern Command of the Air Force is in Thiruvananthapuram, and that of the Navy is in Kochi.

It was decided at the joint commanders' meeting in Kolkata to open a joint station in Thiruvananthapuram. Joint stations are coming up in Visakhapatnam and Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The syllabus will be revised for training involving the three services.

Operation

• The three services will be coordinated in response and defence
• The weapons and manpower of the three services will be under one command
• The head will be a three-star rank Vice Admiral in Thiruvananthapuram
• Warships and fighter aircraft will be deployed in the Maritime Command

In the capital city

• Southern Air Force Headquarters
• Pangode Army Station
• Coast Guard at Vizhinjam
• BSF at Muttathara
• CSIF Unit