Defence Planning Committee(DPC)

Defence Planning Committee (DPC)

In news: The Centre has set up a Defence Planning Committee (DPC) chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) to facilitate “comprehensive” planning for the defence forces besides focusing on military doctrines to deal with emerging security challenges.

About the DPC:

The DPC will be a permanent body chaired by the National Security Advisor.

The committee will comprise:

• National Security Advisor (NSA).
• Foreign secretary.
• Chairman of chiefs of staff committee.
• The Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs.
• Secretary (expenditure) in the Finance Ministry.

The chairman of the DPC can co-opt experts into it depending on requirement.

Functions of the committee:

• Prepare drafts of national security strategy and doctrines, international defence engagement strategy and roadmap to build defence manufacturing ecosystem.
• Work on strategy to boost defence exports, and prioritised capability development plans for the armed forces.
• Analyse and evaluate all relevant inputs relating to defence planning and foreign policy imperatives besides focusing on defence acquisition and infrastructure development plans including the 15-year-long integrated perspective plan.
• Work on development of Indian defence industry and technology advancements.

Benefits of having DPC:

Because the Prime Minister’s Office, the defence ministry, the finance ministry and the three services are part of the same committee, decisions on military purchases could now happen much faster.

Report:

The DPC would submit its draft reports to the Defence Minister according to “given timelines” following which further approvals will be obtained as required.

Significance of the move:

While India does have a defence planning architecture in place, this is the first time it is creating a body that will factor in everything from foreign policy imperatives to operational directives and long-term defence equipment acquisition and infrastructure development plans to technological developments in other parts of the world while coming up with a plan.

The move, which is a significant change in India’s defence strategy architecture, comes as the country faces several potential threats in a highly militarised neighbourhood; is trying to balance budgetary constraints with its need for arms; and is working on increasing its own expertise in manufacturing and exporting defence equipment. Until now, defence planning has been synonymous with hardware acquisition.

Sources: the hindu.