Why IAF doesn't want India to rush theaterisation? Indian Air Force chief explains

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is not opposed to theaterisation, but any restructuring of India's military commands should be approached objectively and implemented in a manner that causes minimal disruption to the existing system, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh pointed out recently.

Speaking at an event in Kanpur, the IAF chief sought to clarify the force's position on the proposed theatre commands amid some media reports, saying the perception that the IAF is against theaterisation was incorrect.

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

Instead, Singh said the IAF has been insisting that the proposed restructuring should be based on India's own requirements and the problems that need to be addressed rather than simply adopting a model followed elsewhere.

"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.

The government announced its theaterisation plan in 2019 with an aim to achieve greater synergy between the forces—Indian Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force.

Under the proposed model, capabilities and resources of the three services would be integrated for wars and other operations. Each theatre command would have units drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force, operating as a single entity to address security challenges within a specified geographical area.

At present, all three services operate their own separate commands.

Singh stressed that India should develop a structure suited to its requirements rather than copy an existing model from another country.

"So let's not just pick up something and use. Let us look at it objectively," he said.

The Air Chief also called for a step-by-step approach to any restructuring, pointing out that the existing system should not be unnecessarily shaken up.

"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," Singh said.

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

The IAF chief said Air Headquarters has also been examining the issue and expressed confidence that the government would arrive at the appropriate decision after considering the inputs it receives.

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