Maritime Theatre Command

2021-07-06T11:10:01Z

2405:201:C01B:100A:C470:9233:E8B2:C51A: /* Overview */

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

{{Short description|Proposed Indian military integrated command}}

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Maritime Theatre Command
| dates =
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance =
| type = [[Jointness and integration in the Indian military|integrated tri-services command]]
| role = *Command and control of naval assets<br />
*coastal defence
| command_structure = [[Indian Armed Forces]]
}}

'''Maritime Theatre Command''' (MTC), previously referred to as '''Peninsular Command''', is a proposed [[Jointness and integration in the Indian military|integrated tri-services command]] of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] whose responsibilities may include the command and control of the entire Indian naval fleet and coastal defence operations. It is envisioned to include assets from all the branches of the Indian military. The commander of the MTC will be an Indian Navy officer who will report to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee headed by the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] (CDS).<ref name="India Today 27-11-2020" />

== History ==
In 2001, the [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]] (ANC) was raised as an planned precursor to the MTC. According to ''[[India Today]]'', this plan could not fructify due to the turf rivalries between the branches of the Indian military and a lack of will in India's political leadership. An Indian military plan published in 2017, the ‘Joint Forces Doctrine’, called for integrated commands like the MTC. The subsequent appointment of the CDS started the process of realising this doctrine. In 2020, a detailed study to implement the MTC was prepared by the Indian Navy.<ref name="India Today 27-11-2020">{{Cite web|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=November 27, 2020|title=The high seas command|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/20201207-the-high-se-as-command-1744377-2020-11-27|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=India Today}}</ref>

The MTC will be a first of its kind since it will reduce the powers that the Indian naval chief will have over the naval fleet.<ref name="India Today 27-11-2020" />

== Overview ==
The MTC may be headquartered at [[INS Kadamba]]. The commander of the MTC may be a vice-admiral or admiral from the Indian Navy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 November 2020|title=Unified maritime command will have IAF’s strike elements, Army’s amphibious units|work=[[ThePrint]]|url=https://theprint.in/defence/unified-maritime-command-will-have-iafs-strike-elements-armys-amphibious-units/541478/|access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref> The MTC will incorporate the [[Andaman and Nicobar Command|ANC]], the [[Western Naval Command]], the [[Eastern Naval Command]], and may be given the command and control of the [[Indian Coast Guard]]. The command may become operational by 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 November 2020|title=Maritime Theatre Command could bring Coast Guard ships under its control|work=[[ThePrint]]|url=https://theprint.in/defence/maritime-theatre-command-could-bring-coast-guard-ships-under-its-control/553228/|access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref>

Around two amphibious brigades of the Indian Army, consisting of around 12,000 soldiers, will be placed under the MTC. These brigades are stationed at [[Port Blair]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] respectively. Moreover, Indian Air Force fighter aircraft including [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|Su-30MKIs]], [[HAL Tejas|Tejas]] and [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguars]] will be placed under MTC's command.<ref name="India Today 27-11-2020" />

== See also ==

* [[Air Defence Command (India)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Joint military units and formations of India]]
[[Category:Military of India]]

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Maritime Theatre Command