IAF chief hits back after CDS calls Air Force 'a supporting arm'
The tussle between Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Indian Air Force chief ACM RKS Bhadauria over the proposed integrated command system came into the public domain on Friday.
FollowThe tussle between Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Indian Air Force chief ACM RKS Bhadauria over the proposed integrated command system came into the public domain on Friday.Â
Speaking at a webinar organised by a think-tank, Global Counter-Terrorism Council CDS Gen Bipin Rawat termed the Air Force as a supporting arm while IAF Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria later said: "it is not."
Replying to a query over IAF reservation in the proposed theaterisation, Gen Bipin Rawat said, "Air Force is required to provide support to the ground forces. Do not forget, Air Force continues to remain a supporting arm to the armed forces just as the artillery or engineers support the combatant arms in the Army."
They have an adequate charter of supporting the ground forces in times of war, the CDS added.
In the next session of the same webinar, ACM Bhadauria clarified that his service was not of a supporting role.Â
"It is not (for) a supporting role alone. Airpower has a huge role to play in any of the integrated battle areas and it is not an issue of support alone. And, there are a whole lot of things that in any air plan that is made. Those are the issues that are under discussion," he said.Â
The IAF chief also called that the formation of the theatre commands was much more complex.Â
He said, "Air Force is for the formation of theatre commands. But the issue we have raised is about how we should do it. It is the most important reform that has an impact on warfighting."
In reply to a question on the charter of the IAF, ACM Bhadauria said, "Every service has its own doctrine, the best knowledge of how to employ the capabilities and capacities to get the best results."
The post of CDS was created in December 2019 with the objective of bringing jointness and synergise to the armed forces in an effort to prepare them to meet the requirements of future warfare.Â
Theaterisation is one of the charters of the CDS and the plans are to integrate the forces into five theatre commands viz air defence, maritime theatre, eastern theatre, western theatre and the northern theatre command.
In its presentation before the defence ministry, the IAF had registered its reservation over allocation of its assets on the plea that it has meagre combat platforms and because of its speed, flexibility and reach it can cover a large geographical area in a short time.
The IAF chief also rejected the allegation that his force was putting a spanner in the whole reform process.Â
"There are issues in terms of options being discussed. Issues need to be deliberated to get it right. It is not putting spanner, but we must get it right. We are totally committed to theatre command, but we must get it right. That is the focus area that we are deliberating between the three service chiefs and the CDS. And that process is continuing," he said.
