Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command
{{Short description|Position in the Indian armed forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Commander-in-Chief,
Strategic Forces Command
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| image = File:Vice_Admiral_Suraj_Berry.jpg
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| incumbent = Vice Admiral Suraj Berry {{small|AVSM NM VSM}}
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| incumbentsince = 6 October 2023
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| reports_to = Chief of the Defence Staff
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| seat = New Delhi
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| appointer = Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
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| formation = 2003
| first = Air Marshal Tej Mohan Asthana
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The Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command is the head of the Strategic Forces Command, the integrated tri-service command responsible for the management and administration of India's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.
The current Commander-in-Chief is Vice Admiral Suraj Berry who took command on 6 October 2023 as the 13th CinC SFC.
History
The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) was created on 4 January 2003 by the Government of India under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Part of the Nuclear Command Authority, the SFC manages and administers all strategic forces by exercising complete command and control over nuclear assets.{{cite news|title=Nuke command set up, button in PM's hand|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nuke-command-set-up-button-in-PMs-hand/articleshow/33382162.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511013323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-04/india/27281139_1_nuclear-command-and-control-nuclear-arsenal-nuclear-retaliation|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=4 January 2003}}
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the appointment of a Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command, to manage and administer all Strategic Forces.{{cite web |title=CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY REVIEWS PROGRESS IN OPERATIONALIZING INDIA’S NUCLEAR DOCTRINE |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/releases98/lyr2003/rjan2003/04012003/r040120033.html |website=archive.pib.gov.in |access-date=6 September 2024}} Air Marshal Teja Mohan Asthana was appointed the first commander-in-chief.{{cite news|title=Air Marshal Asthana to head Strategic Forces Command|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Marshal-Asthana-to-head-Strategic-Forces-Command/articleshow/33995158.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511030611/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-10/india/27285210_1_nuclear-command-and-control-strategic-forces-command-sfc|url-status=live|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=10 January 2003}}{{cite news|title=Indian Army wants sole right over post of Strategic Forces Commander|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-army-wants-sole-right-over-post-of-strategic-forces-commander_865310.html|access-date=30 July 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=29 July 2013}}
Organisation
The CinC SFC is a Three-star rank officer from the three Services in rotation. The CinC reports directly to the Chief of Defence Staff (India) (CDS). He is assisted by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the command, also a three-star officer.
List of commanders
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
| colspan=2|List of CinC by branches of service |
| Branch
! Count |
|---|
| {{Army|India}}
|2 |
| {{Navy|India}}
|4 |
| {{Air Force|India}}
|7 |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Military of India}}