Decision Making in Defence

Present international environment

The post-second World War period has seen rapid development of new strategic doctrines, consequent on major technological breakthroughs in weapons systems, transport and communication capabilities. These doctrines in turn have had a profound impact on the decision- making processes, command and control apparatus and civil-military relationships in different countries, which maintain sizeable military establishments. The new strategic doctrines emphasise deterrence through an arms race, both quantitative and qualitative, readiness to react with forces in being and strategic mobility, watching all other nations continuously and long-range as well as short-term planning. Though a number of doctrines have been categorised, they are all derived from one basic doctrine- deterrence through preparedness.