In a significant stride towards defence modernisation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has granted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), the authority to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders across the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
This marks a transformative departure from the previous system where multi-service directives were issued separately by each Service. The move aims to eliminate procedural overlaps, strengthen interoperability, and institutionalise synergy among the three armed forces.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the first such Joint Order, dated June 24, 2025, titled ‘Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders’, underscores the emphasis on transparency, cross-service coordination, and administrative efficiency.
“In a major step towards modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders for all three Services. This marks a shift from the earlier system wherein Instructions/Orders pertaining to two or more Services were issued by each Service separately,” a statement read.
“The first Joint Order on ‘Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders’ released on June 24, 2025, emphasises the need to streamline procedures, eliminate redundancies and enhance cross-Service cooperation. This initiative lays the foundation for improved transparency, coordination and administrative efficiency in the three Services. It also marks the beginning of a new era of jointness and integration, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ unity of purpose in serving the Nation,” it added.
General Chauhan On ‘Convergence’ in Modern Warfare
In May, CDS General Anil Chauhan articulated a compelling vision of future conflict dynamics, warning that modern warfare is witnessing a convergence of domains and strategies.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31, General Chauhan said, ‘Modern warfare is undergoing a complex convergence of tactical, operational and strategic layers; old and new domains (land, air, sea, cyber and space); and even of time and space.’
According to news agenct ANI, he continued, ‘We’re no longer fighting linear wars; we’re operating across distributed networks, applying force in non-linear ways, where deception is becoming more important than surprise.’
General Chauhan described this as a fundamental reshaping of military tactics, demanding a shift towards decentralised and deceptive approaches rather than large static platforms.
The CDS also highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation during operations, noting that nearly 15 per cent of armed forces’ time was spent countering fake narratives.
‘Combating fake news was a constant effort. Our communication strategy was deliberate; we chose to be measured, not reactive, because misinformation can quickly distort public perception during high-stakes operations,’ he said.
Citing Operation Sindoor, he revealed how India’s initial narrative management relied on two women officers before senior military leadership could engage with the media. ‘India has always built its narratives on solid ground, even if we’ve sometimes been slow to present them,’ he added.
He further clarified that while cyberattacks had some presence during the conflict, core military systems remained secure due to their air-gapped nature. ‘Attacks on public-facing platforms like school websites may have occurred, but they did not affect operational systems,’ General Chauhan stated.
Looking ahead, General Chauhan underscored the importance of real-time integration across all domains. ‘What matters most in modern warfare is the networking of systems and real-time integration across air, land, sea and cyber domains,’ he said.
He also stressed the need to reassess where cutting-edge technology should reside: ‘We must also carefully consider where the cutting edge of technology should reside: in the weapon, the platform, or the network? That’s a key strategic question.’
On structural reforms, he noted progress towards integrated commands and flexible frameworks, highlighting emerging requirements for dedicated wings in drone warfare, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems.
‘Even our professional military education is changing. For the first time, we have a truly joint staff course where 40 officers from all three services train together for a full year. That’s a major shift,’ he concluded.
The developments collectively mark a paradigm shift in India’s defence architecture, reflecting an increasingly integrated, tech-driven, and strategically adaptive Armed Forces.
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