IAF is not against theaterisation, says Air Chief Marshal AP Singh

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is not against theaterisation and it is insisting on having an objective approach for any new initiative that should ensure minimal disruption to the existing structures, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday.

In an address at an event in Kanpur, the Air Chief Marshal called for not "shaking up" the existing system and batted for looking internally to further enhance India's military prowess rather than copying anything from another country.

The government had announced the theaterisation plan in 2019 to ensure greater synergy among the three services. However, no visible forward movement has been made towards it.

 

Under the theaterisation model, the government seeks to integrate the capabilities of the army, air force and navy and optimally utilise their resources for wars and operations.

"I can assure my own people here that the Air Force is not against theaterisation the way the media puts it," he said.

"What the Air Force has been insisting is that let us look at it objectively. Let us look at what it is that is ailing us, what are the things that are not correct, and we need to correct that and not something that we may pick up from somewhere else," he said.

Air Chief Marshal Singh underlined the need to have a structure based on India's requirements.

"So let's not just pick up something and use. Let us look at it objectively. Let us go about it in a step-wise manner so that there is minimal disruption and we don't shake up the system, especially at this time when we have made it very clear that Operation Sindoor is still alive.

"We need to be prepared that way," he said.

The Chief of Air Staff said the Air Headquarters has also been looking at the issue.

"I'm sure the government will take the right decision based on all inputs that are given to the government," he said.

As per the theaterisation plan, each of the theatre commands will have units of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and all of them will work as a single entity looking after security challenges in a specified geographical territory.

At present, the Army, Navy and the Air Force have separate commands.

The Air Chief Marshal also strongly backed the government's initiative to reduce dependence on imports of military hardware and said the Indian private sector can join hands with foreign manufacturers to boost production.

He talked about the option as Indian entities at times may not be able to bring out everything in time because they also have their hands full.