Committed to tri-service integration, says air chief
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Tuesday said the air force was fully committed to tri-service integration to maximise the country’s combat capability, its concerns about the theaterisation model have been factored into the planning process, and hoped that the new structures will cater for joint planning of operations at all levels.
“The strength of each service needs to be taken into account and synchronised to increase the net combat capability of the nation,” Chaudhari said during his customary press briefing ahead of the 89th anniversary of the IAF on October 8.
“The doctrines of each service need to be kept in mind while redesigning our structures.”
He said each service has its own strength and the rationale behind theatre commands is to capitalise on those. “IAF is very keen on integration among the armed forces. Joint planning and execution of operations by the three services will result in maximum increase in our net combat capability, which is the need of the hour,” said Chaudhari,
who took over as IAF chief on September 30 after Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria retired.
The new IAF chief’s comments on jointmanship are significant as they come against the backdrop of some concerns flagged by his predecessor about the theaterisation model.
In July, Bhadauria argued that it was critical to first get the joint structures right, even as chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat gave out details of the theaterisation plan to achieve jointness and brushed aside the reservations revolving around asset split, leadership, and dilution of the powers of the service chiefs.
IAF is fully committed to integration and jointmanship, and the points articulated by his predecessor basically focused on the fact that the structures and the processes have to cater for future warfare, Chaudhari said.
“That is the key element of restructuring [the armed forces] into theatres… All our concerns have been taken into account, and deliberations and discussions are underway on this subject. We are hopeful the ultimate structures that emerge will cater for joint planning and execution of operations,” IAF chief said.
The current theaterisation model, a long-awaited military reform with the backing of the Centre, seeks to set up four new integrated commands for synergy in operations — two landcentric theatres, the Air Defence Command and the National Maritime Theatre Command.
Bhadauria had differed with Rawat’s assessment that IAF was “a support arm,” saying air power has “a huge role to play” in any integrated battle area.
Responding to a question on the perception that IAF was a support arm, Chaudhari said air power had multiple roles to play in any conflict, ranging from offensive strikes to air transportation and support to the army and maritime forces.
“If you examine any global conflict carefully, air power has played multiple roles. There are various roles for every air force, and it is true for IAF too. Our capability, training and equipment cater for executing multiple roles simultaneously.”
Responding to a question on the border row with China in the Ladakh sector, Chaudhari said IAF was aware of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) deployment at three airbases across eastern Ladakh. He said China had scaled up infrastructure across the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) but it would not affect air operations and IAF was fully prepared for any eventuality.
The count of IAF’S fighter squadrons has reduced to around 30 compared to an optimum strength of 42 units. He said it was unlikely that IAF would be able to deploy 42 fighter squadrons in the next 10 to 15 years. He said the induction of new fighters and the phasing out of older ones would result in IAF achieving 35 fighter squadrons in the next decade.