Parallel Commands: A Comparison of India's Chief of Defence Staff and Australia's Chief of Defence Force

At the helm of this vast military machinery is the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), an office that not only oversees the tri-services - the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) - but also acts as the primary military advisor to the government. The National Security Committee and the Minister for Defence receive their primary military advice from the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), the highest-ranking and most senior military official in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). General Angus Campbell, who assumed his position on July 6, 2018, is the current Chief of the Defence Force. The role and structure of the CDF are both vital in understanding how Australia shapes its defence policy, the mechanism for inter-service coordination, and the strategic direction the nation pursues.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) holds the top-ranking position in the Indian Armed Forces and consistently chairs the Chiefs of Staff Committee. This esteemed role is reserved for active-duty uniformed officers in the Indian military, and the primary responsibility of the CDS is to advise the Defence Minister. Moreover, the CDS oversees the Department of Military Affairs. The CDS receives support from the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, who is also recognized as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. General Bipin Rawat made history on 1 January 2020 when he became the inaugural CDS. The creation of this position aimed to enhance coordination among the three branches of the military and promote unified combat strategies. This was a novel role, with no prior equivalent in the country.

Before establishing the CDS role, the governing rules for the Army, Navy, and Air Force underwent important revisions. These changes permitted the consideration of retired officers and those holding three-star ranks for this prominent military position. However, a crucial stipulation was age-based: appointees, even if retired, must be younger than 62 at the time of their appointment. This age condition essentially disqualifies many retired Service Chiefs, especially for current nominations. As outlined in the 6 June 2022 gazette, the revised Army Service Rules specify that the government can consider both serving and retired officers with ranks of Lieutenant General or General for the CDS position, as long as they haven't reached 62 years of age during appointment. Both the Navy and Air Force implemented analogous changes to their respective service rules. In a recent development on 28 September 2022, the government named Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the upcoming CDS. In addition to his duties as CDS, he will concurrently act as the Secretary for the Department of Military Affairs, starting from his day of office induction, and continuing as directed.

This paper delves into the intricate details of the role and structure associated with Australia's CDF. It sheds light on the powers vested in this position, the hierarchy of command, and the broader implications of the CDF's advisory role on Australia's defence and foreign policies. Furthermore, in a global context where comparative military strategies are often sought, we will juxtapose Australia's CDF with a position that has recently gained prominence in another major player in the Indo-Pacific region: India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). This comparison aims to highlight the similarities and distinctions between the two roles, providing insights into the evolving nature of military leadership and structure in the contemporary era. By the end of this exploration, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of these paramount military positions and their implications on regional security dynamics.

History of the post

Australia's Chief of Defence Force (CDF)

The origins of the office of the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) in Australia can be traced back to the establishment of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in 1976. Before this formation, the individual services—Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force—each had their separate chiefs. However, the need for a unified command and an integrated approach to defence led to the inception of the ADF and, consequently, the CDF's office[1].

The first such appointment was made in 1976 when the position was referred to as Chief of Defence Force Staff. The title was later changed to Chief of the Defence Force in 1984. Over the years, the role of the CDF has evolved, reflecting the changing dynamics of defence and strategic imperatives[2]. The CDF is now the highest-ranking officer in the ADF and acts as the primary military advisor to the government. Throughout its history, the position of the CDF has been instrumental in shaping Australia's defence strategies, including the nation's involvement in various peacekeeping missions, its commitment to global alliances like the ANZUS treaty, and its response to regional security challenges[3].

India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

The Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (Chairman-CoSC) role was established in 1947, serving as an early version of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) position[4]. This role's main responsibility was to advise the Defence Minister on military-related topics. The most senior among the three service chiefs would be appointed as the Chairman-CoSC.

The idea of having a Chief of Defence Staff took root as early as the 1960s, after conflicts with Pakistan and China[5]. Throughout the years, discussions about establishing such a position surfaced multiple times. India's journey to the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post is rooted in decades of deliberation on defence reforms. For years, experts stressed the need for greater synergy between the three services—Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The idea of a CDS in India was first introduced after the 1999 Kargil War. The war exposed coordination gaps between the Army and the Air Force, leading to the formation of the Kargil Review Committee. One of the committee's primary recommendations was the establishment of a single-point military advisor to the government, i.e., the CDS.

However, the idea of a CDS faced resistance over time. Additionally, in 2001, the government nearly appointed Admiral Sushil Kumar as the CDS, even finalizing a date for the event. But due to various internal disagreements, the move was abandoned[6]. It was only during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech in 2019 that the creation of the CDS role was officially declared[7]. Following this announcement, a committee was set up in August 2019, headed by the National Security Advisor and included other top officials, to finalize the responsibilities and powers of the CDS. By November 2019, this committee's work was nearly complete, and on 24 December, the Cabinet Committee on Security officially sanctioned the CDS position[8]. General Bipin Rawat became the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff, taking office on 1 January 2020[9]. After General Rawat's untimely demise on 15 December 2021[10], the role temporarily passed to General Manoj Mukund Naravane as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. This was an interim measure since there was no direct succession plan for the CDS role.

The history of the positions of CDF in Australia and CDS in India reflects the evolving nature of defence challenges and the need for greater synergy in military operations. While Australia's CDF has a longer institutional history and is a product of the desire for a unified command structure, India's CDS has been born out of lessons from conflicts and the pressing need for inter-service coordination in the face of contemporary challenges. Both roles, despite their different historical contexts, underline the importance of adaptive and coordinated defence structures in the modern era.

Roles and responsibilities

The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) is the highest-ranking military officer and the most senior uniformed position in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The role of the CDF and its associated responsibilities are extensive and pivotal to the country's defence mechanisms. Here's a deep dive into the roles and responsibilities of both India and Austrailia

Roles and Responsibilities of Australia's Chief of Defence Staff (CDF):[11]

1. Principal Military Adviser: The CDF functions as the primary military advisor to the Minister for Defence and offers counsel on topics tied to military operations and activities.

2. Command of the ADF: The CDF is tasked with the command of the ADF, but operates under the direction of the Minister for Defence.

3. Leadership in Diarchy: In the Australian Defence Organisation's leadership system known as a diarchy, the CDF acts jointly with the Secretary of Defence in command and control.

4. Joint Military Operations: The CDF oversees and orchestrates the joint military operations of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force.[12]

5. Defence Policy Implementation: The CDF plays an essential role in the implementation of the nation's defence policies and strategies.

6. Engagement with International Counterparts: Given the global nature of defence cooperation, the CDF engages with military leaders from other nations, representing Australia in multiple defence dialogues and fostering international military partnerships.

7. Defence Resource Management: The CDF contributes to defence resource management, ensuring optimal utilization of the defence budget and prioritizing defence procurement needs.

8. Chairman of the Defence Committee: In the diarchic structure, the CDF co-chairs the Defence Committee, which is the primary decision-making body within the Defence Organisation[13].

The position of the Chief of the Defence Force in Australia is crucial to the effective operation and coordination of the nation's defence services. As the principal military adviser to the government and the functional head of the Australian Defence Force, the CDF plays a vital role in shaping Australia's military posture, strategy, and operations.

Roles and Responsibilities of India's Chief of Defence Staff[14]:

1. Principal Military Adviser: The CDS is the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters.

2. Tri-services Synergy: One of the main mandates of the CDS is to facilitate the restructuring of military commands for optimal utilization of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through the establishment of joint/theatre commands[15].

3. Single-point Reference: He acts as the single-point military adviser to the Prime Minister and the National Security Council.

4. Defence Procurement: The CDS will play a pivotal role in the equipment policy of the armed forces. He would prioritize the defence procurement to streamline the needs and purchases of the tri-services.

5. Optimize Resources: The CDS will ensure optimization of resources. For instance, in case the three services require drones, instead of each one procuring separately, the CDS will ensure jointness in such procurements.

6. Revamp Defence Planning: The CDS will be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Defence Minister and the Defence Planning Committee.

7. Implement Strategies: The CDS will work on strategies to address challenges concerning the reorganization and restructuring of the military.

8. Management of Nuclear Arsenal: Though the control of India's nuclear arsenal remains with the civilian leadership, the CDS would be a part of the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) and play a role in strategizing India's nuclear doctrine.

The creation of the CDS role and its subsequent roles and responsibilities reflect the evolving security environment and the need for greater strategic coherence, operational and logistical economy, and sharper combat effectiveness in India's defence posture. The CDS is expected to provide the cohesive vision required to navigate India's defence forces through the complex and dynamic security landscape of the 21st century.

Differences

India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Australia's Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) are the topmost military officials in their respective countries, holding positions of critical importance in their defence establishments. Despite similarities in nomenclature and broad functional roles, there are specific differences that set them apart. Here's a comparative assessment:

1. Evolution and History:

The position of CDS was established in December 2019 in India. The creation of the CDS was a response to the need for better integration and jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This move was a significant military reform that India had been deliberating for decades, especially since the Kargil War in 1999. The role of CDF in Australia has a longer history, evolving over time. Initially, there were individual chiefs for each service, but over the years, the position of CDF was established to ensure better coordination among the three services.

2. Functional Dynamics:

The CDS is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters in India. Additionally, the CDS heads the newly established Department of Military Affairs (DMA) within the Ministry of Defence, emphasizing the integration of the three services and promoting indigenous equipment production. Whereas the CDF functions both as the primary military advisor to the Minister for Defence and as the operational commander of the ADF. In Australia's defence establishment, the CDF and the Secretary of Defence together form a diarchy, where both have equal standing and jointly manage the Defence Organisation[16].

 3. Context and Strategic Environment:

 The establishment of the CDS role is particularly significant for India, given its diverse security challenges ranging from territorial disputes with neighbours like Pakistan and China to maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The CDS is expected to ensure better strategic alignment among the services in facing these challenges. Australia's strategic environment, while encompassing regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific, is different from India's. The CDF's role is instrumental in aligning the country's defence posture with its strategic goals, including alliances, regional partnerships, and engagement in peacekeeping.

Conclusion

In an ever-evolving world of military strategies, geopolitical power dynamics, and a pressing need for strong leadership at the helm of defence forces, understanding the roles of top defence officials becomes imperative. This discourse illuminates the comprehensive role and multi-layered structure associated with Australia's Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). Not merely a ceremonial title, the CDF's role has deep implications both domestically and on the global front.

Australia, a significant player in the Indo-Pacific region, has historically played its part in ensuring stability and maintaining regional partnerships. The CDF, being the topmost military official, holds a unique position that is both advisory and operational. The influence is evident in the way defence strategies are formulated, implemented, and how they align with Australia’s foreign policies. Moreover, the CDF, in a diarchic arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, oversees the critical defence mechanism and ensures its alignment with the nation's broader goals. This hierarchical structure ensures a collaborative effort, taking into account both bureaucratic and military perspectives in decision-making.

The CDF doesn't operate in isolation. The complexity of the role becomes even more evident when considering the intricate web of interactions and partnerships that Australia maintains with other nations, particularly in the realm of defence and security. Each decision, strategy, or stance taken by the CDF has broader implications for Australia’s positioning on the world stage, its alliances, and its potential partnerships.

When drawing parallels with another emerging defence role in the Indo-Pacific region, India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), we step into a landscape that’s both familiar and distinct. Like the CDF, the CDS is also the topmost military officer, holding immense power and responsibility. Both roles were instituted to ensure better coordination among the respective armed forces and to provide a unified military perspective to the government. However, the nuances in their powers, historical evolution, and the geopolitical landscape they operate within have shaped these roles differently.

India's establishment of the CDS role is comparatively recent, sparked by decades-long discussions and an urgent need for more cohesive defence leadership. In the backdrop of India's specific regional challenges and territorial disputes, the CDS emerges as a pivotal figure ensuring a unified strategic approach. On the other hand, Australia's CDF has been an established figure for a longer time, evolving within Australia's unique strategic environment, which encompasses a broader regional focus and a significant emphasis on alliances and peacekeeping.

The juxtaposition of Australia's CDF and India's CDS provides a fascinating study of the similarities and differences in defence leadership roles in the contemporary world. While both positions are carved out of a need for a unified military command and more coherent defence strategies, their distinct evolution, powers, and operational frameworks highlight the diverse ways nations approach defence leadership. In essence, this comparative lens not only broadens our understanding of military leadership in the modern era but also underscores the significance of regional contexts, historical trajectories, and geopolitical imperatives in shaping these paramount roles.

In wrapping up, the intricate roles of defence leaders like the CDF and CDS exemplify the sophisticated balance of power, strategy, and diplomacy in today's world. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, understanding the nuances of such positions becomes crucial for anyone keen on grasping the pulse of contemporary military strategies and global power dynamics.

?Bibliography

1.       Rowell, Full Circle, 1974 p. 178

2.     Horner, David (2002). "The Evolution of Australian Higher Command Arrangements". Command Papers. Canberra: Centre for Defence Leadership Studies, Australian Defence College.

3.      Rej, Abhijan; Joshi, Shashank (2018). India's Joint Doctrine: A Lost Opportunity (PDF). Observer Research Foundation. p. 8. 

4.     Balan, Varun Ramesh (2019). "A history of the demand for a Chief of Defence Staff". The Week. 

5.     Unnithan, Sandeep ( 2019). "Chief of Defence Staff: Can the new superchief call the shots?". India Today. 

6.     "PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff". India Today. 

7.     "Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 24 December 2019.

8.     Gupta, Shishir (19 November 2019). "India's first Chief of Defence Staff will direct three service chiefs". Hindustan Times

9.     ( 2021) "IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, confirms IAF". The Times of India.

10. Direct Reference from "Chief of the Defence Force – Roles and Responsibilities". Department of Defence.

11. 2014 "New Australian Defence Force Command Team" (Press release). Office of the Prime Minister of Australia.

12. "The Secretary and Chief of the Defence Force – "the Diarchy"". Department of Defence.

13. Direct refenrence from the Misistry of Defence, Govt. of India, (2020) ‘Functions of chief of defence staff (CDS)’ https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=198899

14. (2020) "CDS General Rawat unveils big ticket military reform agenda". The Economic Times

15. Federal Executive Council Handbook. September 2009. ISBN 978-0-9752387-2-1. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015.

End Notes

[1] Rowell, Full Circle, 1974 p. 178

[2] Horner, David (2002). "The Evolution of Australian Higher Command Arrangements". Command Papers. Canberra: Centre for Defence Leadership Studies, Australian Defence College.

[3] ibid

[4] Rej, Abhijan; Joshi, Shashank (2018). India's Joint Doctrine: A Lost Opportunity (PDF). Observer Research Foundation. p. 8. 

[5] Balan, Varun Ramesh (2019). "A history of the demand for a Chief of Defence Staff". The Week. 

[6] Unnithan, Sandeep ( 2019). "Chief of Defence Staff: Can the new superchief call the shots?". India Today. 

[7] "PM Narendra Modi's mega announcement: India will now have Chief of Defence Staff". India Today. 

[8] "Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 24 December 2019.

[9] Gupta, Shishir (19 November 2019). "India's first Chief of Defence Staff will direct three service chiefs". Hindustan Times

[10] ( 2021) "IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, confirms IAF". The Times of India.

[11] Direct Reference from "Chief of the Defence Force – Roles and Responsibilities". Department of Defence. Retrieved 8 January 2016.

[12] "New Australian Defence Force Command Team" (Press release). Office of the Prime Minister of Australia. 4 April 2014.

[13] "The Secretary and Chief of the Defence Force – "the Diarchy"". Department of Defence.

[14] Direct refenrence from the Misistry of Defence, Govt. of India, (2020) ‘Functions of chief of defence staff (CDS)’ https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=198899

[15](2020) "CDS General Rawat unveils big ticket military reform agenda". The Economic Times

[16] Federal Executive Council Handbook. September 2009. ISBN 978-0-9752387-2-1. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. 

Pic Courstey-Pankaj Jha

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)