The Air Defence command.

In view of the growing tensions between India and China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the government is expected to announce the formation of a new Air Defence Command. A study is being done on the structure of the Command which will be under the IAF and the final decision is expected before the end of the year. 

At the annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day later this week, responding to a question to the formation of the new Command, the Air Chief had said, "The study for setting up the Command is in the advanced stage".

Expected to be located near the IAF's Central Command, which controls some of the most important bases in the country, this is part of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA)'s process of restructuring of the Indian Armed Forces. Earlier this year, the DMA under the Chief of Defence Staff was given the directive to create joint military commands along with theatre commands.

Its aim is to protect the air space of the country and the plan is to get the air assets of the three services under one command, including the S-400 'SA-21 Growler' air defence systems which will start arriving from 2021 for the IAF. And, the structure is based on the study which was carried as per the guidelines set by the DMA.

The AD Threat Perception

The evaluation of its 'susceptibility and vulnerability' against the enemy's offensive capabilities. India is surrounded by two nuclear-armed countries - Pakistan and China and they perpetually maintain a 'minimum credible deterrence' against India. They have also strategically deployed various ballistic and cruise missiles (Both conventional and nuclear capable) against India.

The three services - the Indian Army, the Navy and the AF - maintain their own AD resources which are meant to counter specific threats perceived by each service. The AD assets will now get integrated. Accordingly, the IAF is all set to get the surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW) and AD Radars. This will also help in integrating all sensors, command control structures and weapon systems for an Integrated Air Defence command for carrying out its operations.

Source. Adapted.

     *              *               *

Knowledge decides what to Say, Skill decides how to Say, Attitude decides how much to Say and Wisdom decides whether to Say or not.

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a comparatively quiet day.