Can’t pressure forces for joint structures: IAF chief

The armed forces must not come under any pressure to form joint structures and should not pick any global model that may not be relevant in the Indian context, chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Tuesday, adding that joint planning and coordination in Delhi and decentralised execution is whatis required.

- Rahul Singh

“As far as joint structures are concerned, why do we need a joint structure? Is there anything ailing us...is there any problem with the structure that we have,” Singh said during a fireside chat at Ran Samwad ~-a top military conclave being held in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

The IAF chief's comments are likely to reignite the debate around the ongoing theaterisation drive, a long-awaited reform for the best use of the military's resources to fight future wars.

“Any structure whether it is current or (planned) later... whatever we go in for, it should not add layers in your decision making. It is very important,” said Singh, who is known to bea plainspoken and straightforward military leader. The audience included chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan and a battery of top officers from the three services.

The OODA (observe, orient, decide and act) loop (a decision-making model) must remain as short as possible, he said.