JJ Inaugurates Centre for Jt Warfare Studies

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Army Chief General JJ Singh -- currently also Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee -- today shot down the concept of the Chief of Defence Staff as unripe for the time being.

On the sidelines of a function here, the Army Chief told mediapersons categorically that the country was ''yet not ready for a CDS'' -- as recommended by the high-powered Kargil Committee in the wake of the 1999 India-Pakistan skirmish.

Supporting his contention, Gen Singh -- who is to demit office on September 30 -- observed that India's current defence and security concerns were only in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern region.

''And in both places, it is only the Army which is involved...

the other two Services have no role to play,'' averred Gen Singh -- known for his blunt and outspoken speech.

The Army Chief's sideline-comments came in direct contrast to the occasion -- the inauguration of the celebrated Centre for Joint Warfare Studies here aimed at promotion of joint strategies among the three Services and conduct studies and research in joint war-fighting.

In his inaugural address, Gen Singh opined that ''despite rich experience, the three Services have a long way to go in launching Joint Operations''.

Calling for increased synergy among the Armed Forces, the Army Chief, however, hoped that the Centre would go a long way in achieving synergies in operations, formulation of joint policies and concepts and integrating procurements.

He pointed out that the Centre had come up in a short time after Defence Minister AK Antony granted it approval on priority -- based on a report of the designated Group of Ministers.

The Centre will function under the Chief of Integrated Staff to the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), headed by Lt Gen HS Lidder.

Its creation is termed as a logical step to achieve integration and training of joint warfare professionals. It will train military and civilian professionals in the field of Joint Warfare and Practices.

An independent think-tank of the Defence Ministry, the Centre will act as a semi-autonomous body promoting Joint Warfare Studies at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. It will also cater to various Ministries.

Intelligence Agencies and other Government departments associated with Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters in matters of national security.

UNI