'IAF is not against theaterisation': Air Force chief AP Singh cautions against copying foreign models

IAF chief clarifies stance on theaterisation

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has said the air force is not against theaterisation, pushing back against media portrayals that suggest otherwise. Speaking at an event in Kanpur on Saturday, Singh said, "A lot is said about theatreisation the way the media puts it. I should make it clear that IAF is not against theaterisation."

He, however, cautioned against simply adopting a structure from another country. "But we should not pick up from somewhere and use it," he added, emphasising that every country has a different environment and that India should develop a structure based on its own requirements.

Examining reforms objectively

Singh stressed the need to evaluate the proposed reforms objectively. "Let's look at what is ailing us," he said, adding that the air force's position is to identify and fix what is wrong. He argued against using another country's structure directly, saying, "We need to form an organisation chart in a manner that we need and not anybody else's."

He advocated a gradual approach to avoid disrupting the system, especially given the current operational context. "Let us go about it in a stepwise 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."

Government's theaterisation plan

The government announced the theaterisation plan in 2019 to ensure greater synergy among the three services and integrate the capabilities of the army, air force, and navy for optimal resource utilisation in wars and operations. Under the plan, each theatre command would have units from all three services, working as a single entity to address security challenges in a designated geographical area.

Currently, the army, navy, and air force operate separate commands. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, raised in 2001, remains the sole operational tri-service theatre command.

Singh expressed confidence that the government would decide based on all inputs. "I'm sure the govt will take the right decision based on all inputs that are given to it," he said.

Restructuring efforts underway

Efforts are underway to modernise the armed forces through the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) and Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs). These reforms aim to optimise operational preparedness by unifying the capabilities of the army, navy, and air force based on geography and function.

Studies at the Service Headquarters level are exploring theatre commands for land borders, maritime, and joint/integrated air defence. Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan had earlier said jointness and integration are essential for ITCs.

Indigenous production and technology

Singh also backed the government's initiative to reduce dependence on imports of military hardware, saying the Indian private sector can join hands with foreign manufacturers to boost production. He highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in defence planning, noting that the force is leveraging predictive AI and digital twin technology to forecast future scenarios and improve decision-making. Digital twins, he said, can provide a better understanding of potential situations by creating virtual models.