Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan conducted a significant visit to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Mumbai on Saturday. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate operational readiness and to promote the agenda of jointness among the armed forces. High-level discussions were held with Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, underscoring a renewed focus on strategic integration across the various military branches.
During the visit, General Chauhan received comprehensive briefings regarding the command’s operational capabilities within the Arabian Sea—a vital maritime area, especially in light of the growing presence of the Chinese navy in the region. Speaking to a group of naval officers, he highlighted the critical role of tri-service synergy in addressing future conflicts. This was particularly underscored by referencing Operation Sindoor Cup in May 2025, a mission that successfully targeted and neutralized over 100 terrorists linked to organizations such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba through precision strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The success of this operation has not only bolstered inter-service morale but also catalyzed the planning of a friendly cricket match between an Army XI and a Parliament XI to take place in Kanpur, indicating a positive camaraderie among the forces.
General Chauhan commended the professionalism exhibited by the Western Naval Command and reiterated the necessity for integrated command structures. He referenced the Indian Armed Forces’ Joint Doctrine of 2017 as a foundational element for ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing combat effectiveness.
Internal defense assessments indicate that tri-service operations have achieved up to a 15 percent increase in mission efficiency, reflecting the positive impact of collaborative strategies. The CDS’s visit occurs within a broader context of pushing for theatre commands and operational coherence, especially as India faces evolving threats along both its land and maritime borders.
This engagement between military leadership and field units exemplifies a sustained commitment to modernization, joint planning, and an enhanced warfighting capability through seamless integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
