IAF Not Against Tri-Service Theatre Command But It Should Not Compromise Doctrinal Aspects: Air Chief

CDS Chauhan's predecessor, the late General Bipin Rawat, had also worked to transform the three forces into leaner, more agile fighting units equipped with modern weaponry.

New Delhi: Days after Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan directed the Army, Navy, and Air Force to press forward with the development of integrated theatre commands, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force was not against it but their proposed structures should not compromise doctrinal aspects of the force, reported news agency PTI 

“Air power has the unique capability of undertaking independent strategic operations as well as operations coordinated with sister services and other arms of the national security apparatus,” the IAF chief quoted by the news agency. 

“No single service can win wars on its own. We understand the imperativeness of joint planning and execution in future wars and are keen on integrating the efforts of the three services…But we have certain reservations about the proposed structures,” he added.

ACM Chaudhari stressed on “organisational structure that is best suited for Indian conditions and our geopolitical imperatives.” He added that the integration model to be adopted must be “future-ready, capitalise on the strengths of the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force and reduce levels of decision-making instead of increasing it.” 

Acknowledging that IAF recently revised and updated its doctrine, the Air Chief Marshal said, “The doctrinal aspects of the IAF should not be compromised in any way by the new structures.”

CDS Chauhan's predecessor, the late General Bipin Rawat, had also worked to transform the three forces into leaner, more agile fighting units equipped with modern weaponry. Earlier plans called for the establishment of western and eastern land-based commands, as well as a maritime theatre command.

The Air Defence Command was also to be established, but the Ladakh region was to be excluded for the time being. However, while the Indian Air Force supports the creation of theatre commands, it is concerned that too many of them will result in the division of existing assets such as fighter aircraft.