CONCEPT OF INTEGRATED AIR DEFENCE COMMAND

The proposed “Air Defence Command” is a retrograde step and if allowed, would become the biggest strategic military blunder for the Indian Armed Forces

- GROUP CAPTAIN C.J. WEIR (RETD)

SOON AFTER TAKING OVER IN JANUARY 2020 AS THE FIRST

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), under directions from the government, General Bipin Rawat initiated the process of creation of an integrated military command that would take charge of air defence operations of the Indian military. The proposal seeks to take away the critical “Air Defence” role from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and create a separate “Air Defence Command”. This issue needs to be examined from the prism of national interest and cannot be clouded by interservice rivalry and misplaced military ego.

THE CONCEPT

The Air Defence Command would be a stand-alone arm of Indian air power whose aim would be to protect vital areas and vital points (V/A’s/VP’s) of the nation from enemy aircraft. The system would bring under one umbrella all the components of the air defence machinery. The four components of the system would continue to be detection, identification, interception and destruction. The current assets of the IAF namely aircraft, systems and manpower, would be amputated from the main body to create the new Air Defence Command. This reminds one of the air defence organisation set up of the 70’s and 80’s. What has changed since then is the dramatic enhancement of capability in each of these four areas that comprise an air defence network.