Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM
Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force
The concept of theatre commands is being actively discussed and developed within India’s defence framework. While talking about the theaterisation of armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force said “IAF is working hand in hand with other Services while progressing towards integration. Each of the three Services has its own culture and ethos. With the creation of theatre commands, their personnel, assets, infrastructure and logistics would be integrated, to cohesively attain defined military goals in specific theatres covering laid down operational areas.” Speaking to Aeromag on the occasion of 92nd anniversary of IAF, the CAS shared insights on key developments in indigenization, the modern challenges of aerial warfare, and the strategic importance of the Tarang Shakti exercise, among other topics.
The Indian Air Force has committed to becoming a “future-ready aerospace force.” Could you elaborate on the strategic roadmap for this transformation, especially in the context of integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, autonomous systems, and space-based assets, and modern warfare tactics?
The battlespace in future is going to be Cluttered, Congested, Contested and Complex. What this amounts to is a need to Reimagine, Reinvent, Rededicate and Retrain ourselves for future conflicts. The battle space in the future will be dominated by the one demonstrating superior adaptation to technology, be it raw combat technology in the form of systems, warheads, guidance techniques, neurocognitive weapon systems or exponential growth of combat support technology like AI, ML, QC in all the spheres of operations.
Leadership is the most crucial thread in military to develop, retain, and sustain combat edge in any kind of operational environment. IAF has taken a number of steps to ensure that our leadership is trained and educated appropriately at all the levels. At the basic skill set level, the education programs are oriented towards “tech infusion”. At operational and strategic level, these are oriented towards current realities of operational and strategic environment. At the strategic level, the realities of NWNP scenario are being studied thoroughly.
Likewise, at operational level of leadership, the emergence of new domains of warfare like space and cyber, cross domain application of force, and optimization of resources to achieve desired effect are the focus areas to arrive at best operational solutions. Overall, our aim is to be a cohesive force that is future ready and prevails in any contingency faced by our country.
How is the IAF balancing the need for rapid modernisation with the imperative of indigenisation? Are there any specific platforms or systems you see as pivotal in achieving this balance?
The Indian Air Force is committed towards the vision of ‘VIKSIT BHARAT – 2047’ by supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Self-Reliance initiative in Defence Manufacturing.
The most preferred option for capital acquisition, today, is the Buy Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category equipment, followed by Buy (Indian) category.
IAF is inducting 83 LCA Mk1A and is in process of procurement of additional 97 LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft. IAF is planning to procure 114 MRFA wherein, major thrust will be on maximizing Indigenous Content (IC), Transfer of Technology (ToT) and setting up manufacturing infrastructure in India through an Indian Production Agency (IPA). Significant progress has been made in D&D of LCA Mk2 and Advance Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs.
India has contracted for 56 x C-295 aircraft under Buy Global and Make category wherein, 40 aircraft will be produced by M/s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in India. This is a first project of its kind in the history of Indian Aviation Sector. The manufacturing facility has recently been inaugurated by the PM in Vadodara. IAF has initiated a case for procurement of 50-60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) in the 18 – 30ton payload capacity as a replacement of its legacy fleets. IAF has operationalised three indigenously designed & developed AEW&C platform and has plans to procure six more. A project for six AEW&C MK-II based on A-321 platform, is under progress with DRDO.
IAF aims to progress towards achieving complete self-reliance in helicopter operations, except for heavy lift helicopters. Along with induction and progress of cases related to ALH, LCH and LUH, IAF is processing case for replacement of MLH fleet by indigenously designed and developed Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH).
IAF aims to achieve self-reliance in ground-based radar systems with induction of radars like Aslesha Radar, Low Level Tracking Radar etc. IAF is procuring a number of High Power Radars (HPR) from M/s L&T. This is the first instance where a private industry will be executing a project of this scale
IAF has achieved significant milestones in indigenization of weapons, the delivery of Astra Mk-I missile is under progress and D & D of Astra Mk –II is under process. IAF is acquiring Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW), REKs (Range Extension Kits) for conventional weapons and Long-Range Glide Bombs. The Ground Base Air Defence Weapon System (GBADWS) is another area where significant progress is being made. Other areas are CIWS, VSHORADS, QRSAMS, MRSAMS & LRSAMS. Surface to Surface missiles with an extended ranges are also under D&D.
The concept of theatre commands is being actively discussed and developed within India’s defence framework. How is the IAF preparing for this integration? What are the potential challenges and benefits of transitioning to a theatre command structure, particularly for the Air Force?
On 04 May 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the media that theaterisation process is making progress with consensus emerging among the three Services. Chief of the Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan is leading the theaterisation plan with all three Services working in an integrated manner. IAF is working hand in hand with other Services while progressing towards integration. Each of the three Services has its own culture and ethos.
With the creation of theatre commands, their personnel, assets, infrastructure and logistics would be integrated, to cohesively attain defined military goals in specific theatres covering laid down operational areas. There are likely to be more jointness initiatives such as joint training, administration and logistics with focus on integration first, rather than outright theaterisation.
The multilateral air exercise Tarang Shakti is set to become a biennial event. Could you shed light on the strategic importance of such exercises for the IAF and promoting international cooperation?
Tarang Shakti 2024, the multinational exercise, has not only been a milestone for the IAF but also for India as a nation. Strategic importance of such exercises for IAF is as follows: –
i. Build Military and Diplomatic Relations: The exercise is aimed at strengthening military and diplomatic relations toward establishing India as a significant member of the emerging world order.
ii. Showcase “Make In India”: The exercise would showcase “Make in India” (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the exercise. Tejas (LCA), ALH, LCH (Prachand), Akash Missile Sys, Brahmos, Astra and locally manufactured systems/ elements can be showcased in operation and on ground.
iii. Project National Capability: The exercise would project national capability in orchestrating large scale, world class multinational exercise.
iv. Neighbourhood First: The exercise aims at promoting Interoperability among regional neighbours.
v. Growth for Indigenous Industries: Defence exposition with participation of Indian defence Industry and start-ups was planned at both Sulur and Jodhpur and would continue with Industry representatives of participating countries along with senior leadership of Friendly Foreign Counties (FFC).
You have emphasised the importance of developing ‘scholar warriors’ within the IAF. Could you explain how this concept is being implemented in the force? How crucial is intellectual development alongside operational skills for shaping the future leadership of the IAF?
Ever evolving characteristics of air warfare demand that its practitioners develop nimble critical thinking skills that enable them towards effective employment of air power in any future war. IAF has taken a number of steps in the recent years to develop such skills in officers as well as our airmen leadership.
Some of such steps include a robust Professional Military Education structure for both airmen and officers and leadership courses for officers as well senior airmen. IAF has developed a list of books on contemporary military topics that are to be mandatorily read by officers at various seniority levels. IAF also regularly subscribes to prestigious professional education programs for its officers and senior airmen with friendly foreign countries.
Recently IAF started the Warfare and Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP) with an objective to provide its officers with a deep understanding of aerospace strategy and learning big ideas from key disciplines across the entire political, social and military spheres. The broader aim is to nurture critical thinkers who can blend cross-domain knowledge to generate policy driving ideas at the strategic level.
We ensured that the third iteration also included officers from Army, Navy and civil academia for cross pollination of such ideas. The program is guided by accomplished practitioner scholars with extensive teaching and research experience. These include functionaries of prestigious think tanks, distinguished veterans, erstwhile Ambassadors and Cabinet Ministers as well as Hon’ble EAM himself in the third iteration.
