India looking at creating rocket force for protecting air platforms during war-like situation: CDS Gen Rawat
In reply to a query, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said, “We are also looking at creating a rocket force. The more aircraft you keep in the air the more you also be on the ground. Look at the kind of air defence systems that are coming up. We are also looking at the missile strength coming up along with the air force…”
FollowNew Delhi: Keeping the evolving airspace warfare in mind, India is looking at creating a rocket force which will help in protecting its air platforms during a war-like situation.
In reply to a query, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said, “We are also looking at creating a rocket force. The more aircraft you keep in the air the more you also be on the ground. Look at the kind of air defence systems that are coming up. We are also looking at the missile strength coming up along with the air force…”
While acknowledging that the number of Squadron is less, he said that five squadrons of S-400 missile system are arriving, a rocket force was being developed, the MR-SAM had come in last week.
Gen Rawat was speaking at a talk organised by IIC in Delhi on “Progressive Defence Reforms”.
Talking about the shape of integrated theatre command he said, “In the long run, what we are looking at the theatre commanders will become operational commanders reporting to chairman chief of staff committee. This is where the chief plays a dual role.”
Speaking about the roles of Services Chiefs, the CDS said, “While the chief will be responsible for raise, train and sustain function of its services which means they will ensure that the training goes on properly. Theatre commanders are not bothered with the training. They will look after where the theatre required for fighting the war and they will continue sustaining them with war efforts where the war is being fought. But the war will precisely be fought by the theatre commanders on approved plans made by the chiefs of the staff committee. This is also where the chiefs are also the members of the chief of the staff committee along with the CDS.”
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He further said that the CDS along with Services Chiefs will build consensus and then advice the political leadership.
“Now we have got a CDS who is a permanent Chief of Staff, with the help of Chiefs of three Services is responsible for providing the singular advice to the government, providing alternatives to the political hierarchy in addition to what chiefs provide. So you have a kind of advice being provided to the government through a consensus mechanism with the three chiefs. That is what we are looking at,” he added.
Commenting on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, Gen Rawat said no one had expected that the Taliban would seize the country so fast.
“Only time will tell what will happen in Afghanistan. Nobody expected the Taliban to take over the country so fast. There can be more turmoil,” he added.
Stating Pakistan as China’s proxy, the CDS added that the China will be more involved in the war-torn country and there would be more linkages between Beijing and some Islamic countries.
For that, he said India has to be prepared, more integrated militarily and there should be more cohesion between the military and civilian sectors.
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