Indian Navy Chief Advocates for Theatre Commands and Highlights Maritime Grey Zone Threats

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi reaffirmed the Indian Navy's dedication to fostering jointness and integration across the armed forces on Wednesday, highlighting theatre commands as the ultimate objective of military reform. At the concluding session of the first tri-service seminar, RAN Samwad-2025, held at the Army War College in Madhya Pradesh, he also expressed concerns over the increasing threats posed by technology-driven grey zone activities at sea.

Push for Integration

Admiral Tripathi emphasized the Navy's progress towards unified planning, creating a common battlespace picture, and conducting integrated operations with the Army and Air Force. He stated, "We are committed to synergising our command, control, communications, and combat capability with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Full stop. Period."

The Admiral noted the Navy's efforts to enhance cross-service collaboration, pointing out that his personal staff includes an Army Aide-de-Camp, while the Air Chief is supported by a Naval Flag Lieutenant. He remarked, "Integration begins at the human level."

Leadership in a Complex Battlespace

Emphasizing leadership as a critical factor in successful integration, Admiral Tripathi highlighted the Navy's investment in building teams capable of operating in "an information-dense environment" under tight timelines. He stated, "Future readiness will not be defined by technology alone, but by our ability to harness technology and human potential concurrently."

Grey Zone Activities and Maritime Ambiguity

The Naval Chief warned of the increasingly blurred lines between peace and conflict, particularly in maritime settings. He commented, "The seas, once called global commons, are now the front line of grey zone activities, and technology is accelerating this trend."

Admiral Tripathi highlighted examples such as fishing fleets equipped with satellite communications and sensors, research vessels with advanced sonar, and autonomous boats capable of launching missiles as civilian-looking assets with military potential. He cautioned, "It is conceivable that seemingly innocuous fishing vessels could carry out major offensive actions in the near future."

Debate Over Theatrisation

Admiral Tripathi's comments followed Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh's recent warning against hastily adopting theatre commands, citing potential disruption to operational efficiency. While the exact framework for India's proposed theatre commands is yet to be finalized, plans reportedly include two land-based commands to address threats from Pakistan and China, alongside a maritime theatre command.

Despite differing opinions, Admiral Tripathi reiterated that theatrisation remains the "ultimate goal," affirming the Navy's commitment to developing a "combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force."