Army Chief General J J Singh favoured setting up of an integrated 'Theatre Command' comprising officers in battle fatigues and experts from the ministries of defence and external affairs.
This, Singh said, would bring about the necessary integration of country's security and foreign policy for a complete synergy in future conflicts and also pave the way for appointment of the first ever Chief of Defence Staff, who would be single window advisor to the government on strategic matters.
Such a system is already prevalent in the West, Singh, who retires on September 30, said.
"When service chiefs of foreign countries come to India, they are accompanied by experts from defence and foreign affairs".
"In five to ten years, we may have an integrated Theatre Command where we will see intermingling and cross postings of officers of the defence and external affairs ministry as happens in other modern democracies," he said.
In Singh's opinion, the country's armed forces -- Army, Navy and Air Force -- had achieved fair level of synergy and jointness with the adoption of joint war doctrine, frequent holding of joint exercises and setting up of integrated commands like the Tri-Service Command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Strategic Command.
Inaugurating a Centre of Joint Warfare Studies for the integrated staff, Singh said he also foresees a futuristic Aerospace Command taking shape in a short space of time.
"Now, we have to progress beyond jointsmanship," he said and favoured total amalgamation of country's security and foreign policy goals.
Asked why there was a delay in the appointment of CDS, the army chief said, "It will fall in place. They are working on this". Asked where the country stood on the creation of an Aerospace Command, Singh said the proposal was under study and will take shape shortly.
"Our views on the subject are with the government for final approval. It should happen in the near future. Already we are engaged with various players of this domain the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research and Development Organisation and scientific fraternity," he said. Reflecting on the future of the armed forces, Singh said he visualised converting the army into a "lean and mean" force. At present the Indian Army has 1.3 million men under arms.
To carry this out, he said the country would first need to settle its boundary dispute in northern sector, which will automatically bring about a normalcy in internal turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.
Commenting on joint exercises with armed forces of other countries, Singh said a large number of countries were showing interest in engaging with India as "India has an increasing role to play for the stability in the region".
"They want to see how we operate, our expertise, experience, they are keen to share intelligence... We are known for our professionalism in UN missions. Our doctrine on sub-conventional warfare is much sought after because it talks about the humane face of armed forces operating in conflict-prone areas...," he said.
