Smruti Deshpande

In a sign that things have returned to normal since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, the venue for the press conference for the 90th Air Force Day celebrations was back to the Aakash Officers Mess in New Delhi. The venue, smaller as compared to the one from last year, required no social distancing, a sign that the pandemic has receded, after all.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, addressed the press conference and outlined the air force’s position on theatre commands. The chief said the air force was not opposed to it but the force had certain reservations. He said, “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. We understand the imperativeness of joint planning and execution in future wars and are keen on integrating the efforts of the three services.”

He put forward three views of the air force. He said the air force believes that the model of integration must be future-ready (should cater to cyber warfare, space warfare and not just traditional domains of warfare), it must reduce levels of decision-making and capitalise on the strengths of all the three services. “We need an organisational structure that is best suited for Indian conditions and our geopolitical imperatives,” the Indian Air Force chief said. He reiterated that the doctrinal aspect of the IAF should not be compromised in any way and that core competencies must be synergised.

According to the Air Chief, the air force had recently updated and revised the IAF doctrine to keep it relevant. The next step would be to use the air force’s doctrines and well-trained manpower to evolve employment philosophies and concep