Summary
Air Defence Command was a proposed unified tri-services command of the Indian Armed Forces. The command would be headed by a three-star Indian Air Force officer.
| Air Defence Command | |
|---|---|
| Country |  India |
| Type | Integrated military command |
| Role | Air defence |
| Part of | Indian Armed Forces |
History edit
After Bipin Rawat took office as the first Chief of Defence Staff in January 2020, he proposed the creation of an integrated military command that would coordinate air defence operations of the Indian military. Discussions were held in the Indian military establishment over this and it was decided that a proposal to create such command would be prepared by 30 June 2020.[1][2] Work on creating the Air Defence Command was subsequently scheduled to start in 2021.[3]
In June 2023, reports confirmed that the proposed Air Defence Command would not be established as the Indian Air Force stated a different command for air defence would be "counter-productive" because "air defence" and "offensive air" operations are inter-dependent. The air force also cited "that dividing limited air assets into separate commands would be unwise."[4][5]
Organisation edit
It was reported that a three-star officer from the Indian Air Force would head the proposed Air Defence Command.[6] This command would have been responsible for air defence operations of the Indian military. It would have integrated all the relevant assets of three branches of the Indian Armed Forces under a single command authority.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Bipin Rawat holds meeting on creating Air Defence Command". The Hindu. 2 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2 January 2020). "CDS General Bipin Rawat gets cracking, Air Defence Command first priority". ThePrint. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (4 February 2020). "Work on establishing theatre commands to begin next year and be completed within three year: Gen Bipin Rawat". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "India moves ahead with creation of theatre commands for integrated war-fighting". The Economic Times. 18 June 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Three theatre commands on anvil as tri-services 'concur'". The Times of India. 18 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ ANI (15 February 2020). "Air Defence Command to be set up first by CDS, headed by 3-star IAF officer". Business Standard India. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "CDS aims to set up Air Defence Command by June 2020". India Today. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.