New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- New Delhi: The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), which played a key role in coordinating India's tri-service efforts during Operation Sindoor, completed 25 years on Thursday, with the apex institution marking its silver jubilee by highlighting its role in strengthening jointness and preparing the armed forces for emerging domains such as cyber, space and artificial intelligence.
Conceived as a permanent institutional mechanism to promote jointness, integration and synergy among the three services, HQ IDS was established on October 1, 2001. Over the past 25 years, it has evolved as a key platform for enhancing coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force and advancing integrated war-fighting capabilities.
The institution observed its silver jubilee as Tri-Service Day with celebrations themed "Future Readiness Through Jointness and Integration". As part of the programme, HQ IDS organised "Trishakti Manthan", featuring addresses by Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Gen N S Raja Subramani, and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, the Defence Ministry said.
The deliberations highlighted HQ IDS's contribution to operational preparedness through joint operational doctrines, joint training frameworks, integrated exercises and improved coordination of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanisms, it said.
A silver jubilee coffee-table book documenting the evolution and achievements of HQ IDS over the past 25 years was released at a function in Delhi. A film showcasing the institution's key milestones since its establishment was also screened.
Former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, who headed HQ IDS during Operation Sindoor last year, along with former Chiefs of Integrated Staff Committee and senior officers from the three services, attended the event.
The occasion marked a significant milestone in the journey of HQ IDS and reaffirmed its commitment to building a future-ready and integrated defence force, the ministry said.
The prestigious CDS Unit Citations and CDS Unit Appreciations were also conferred on personnel in recognition of their contributions towards strengthening jointness and integration.
Earlier in the day, Gen Raja Subramani laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and Museum to pay tribute to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.
HQ IDS has also played a significant role in preparing the armed forces for emerging domains, including cyber, space and artificial intelligence. It has promoted collaboration with research organisations, academia and industry to accelerate indigenous capability development in line with the government's focus on self-reliance in defence, the ministry said.
The institution has strengthened mechanisms for jointness through platforms such as Ran Samwad, the Joint Commanders' Conference and the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation Programme. These forums facilitate structured deliberations on contemporary security challenges and contribute to enhancing joint war-fighting capabilities across land, maritime, air, space, cyber and cognitive domains.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.