As part of its current efforts at reorganisation, to give it a 21st-century look, the Indian Army is seriously considering having an additional — a third — Deputy Chief of Army Staff

New Delhi: As part of its current efforts at reorganisation, to give it a 21st-century look, the Indian Army is seriously considering having an additional — a third — Deputy Chief of Army Staff. The issue has already been discussed at the last commanders' conference, chaired by Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, that ended several days ago and received a favourable response. The army commanders, to whom the idea was placed, will now return to their respective commands and officially write back to Army HQ. 

Currently, there are two deputy chiefs, looking after training and purchases of weapons respectively. The restructuring would involve a third deputy chief being involved with logistics, with the MGO working with him. He could also be involved in operational and intelligence work. Currently, the vice-chief of army staff has responsibility over operations and intelligence along with other work. If the deputy chief gets a chunk of this, the vice chief may receive additional responsibilities.

Importantly, the idea of removing brigadiers from the rank structure of the army and officers jumping from colonel to major general is still under discussion as there have been contrary views as well. The army commanders will also be writing back with their views. But it has been decided that in Army HQ, whether it is South Block or Sena Bhavan or wherever else, no brigadiers and lieutenant colonels will be serving in the near future.

The reason for moving out brigadiers relate to the equivalence with civilian ranks. A major general, it has been agreed upon, is equivalent to a joint secretary and a colonel, with a director. Which leaves the brigadiers in a slightly unusual position vis-a-vis equivalence in a place where frequent interaction with the civilian bureaucracy is necessary. An army brigadier may have to be in touch with not only officials of the Ministry of Defence but also, Home, External Affairs and Finance.

The reason for not having any lieutenant colonels in Army HQ is more operational. They can be with the battalions (regiments in the case of the armoured corps) or in other areas where they are required more. Many of these units are short of officers. In their place, the army can post recently retired officers who have been reemployed. There are perhaps over a hundred brigadiers in Army HQ today and over 300 lieutenant colonels. 

The work of the Engineer-in-Chief may also be split, with the combat units remaining with him and the other "works" units going to the Chief of Integrated Services where the three services work together. This could be a move to provide more "jointness" or cohesion between the forces.