IAF open to theaterisation but seeks measured approach, says Air Chief

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh sought to clarify the IAF's position on military theaterisation, stating that the service's concerns have been misrepresented in public discourse. Speaking at an event in Kanpur, he asserted that the Air Force is receptive to the concept but demands a pragmatic implementation strategy that preserves institutional continuity.

"What the Air Force is insisting on is an objective approach for any new initiative," Singh said, emphasising the need to avoid disruptive overhauls of current systems. He advocated for leveraging India's existing institutional strengths and developing home-grown solutions tailored to the nation's strategic requirements, rather than adopting models wholesale from other countries.

Theaterisation, announced by the government in 2019, aims to enhance operational synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force by integrating their capabilities and optimising resource utilisation for military operations and warfare. Despite the policy announcement over four years ago, concrete implementation steps remain limited.

The Air Chief's comments suggest the IAF's resistance stems not from opposition to inter-service integration in principle, but from concerns about the execution methodology. Singh's call for an "objective approach" indicates the service's demand for detailed planning that accounts for operational realities and minimises institutional disruption during the transition period.