IAF combat manoeuvres set to go stellar, likely to become Indian Air & Space Force soon

New Delhi: In a transformative move signalling India's commitment to strengthen its aerospace capabilities, a proposal to rename the IAF as the 'Indian Air and Space Force' (IASF) is on the verge of materialisation, now awaiting imminent government clearance, media reports have revealed on Monday December 11.

Alignment with Defence Minister's directive

This initiative aligns with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's directive during the 37th Air Chief Marshal PC Lal Memorial Lecture in May last year. Singh underlined the imperative for the IAF to transcend into an aerospace force, adequately equipped to tackle future challenges.

Envisioned transformation and Defence Space Agency's role

This decision stems from a comprehensive doctrine planned by the IAF, highlighting the critical integration of space capabilities within its operational framework. Collaborative efforts with organisations like ISRO, DRDO, IN-Space, and the private industry are underway.

The anticipated transformation extends beyond conventional boundaries, envisioning the deployment of over 100 military satellites in the ensuing seven to eight years, as per avaliable reports, leveraging private sector synergy. Simultaneously, the Defense Space Agency, inaugurated in 2019 as a tri-service entity, is set to grow into a fully-fledged Space Command.

Integration of space within operational frameworks

Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari also previously spoke of India's necessity to develop defensive and offensive space capabilities, echoing the success of 'Mission Shakti' in 2019, where DRDO executed an anti-satellite (A-Sat) interceptor missile test. The proactive stance embraces space's strategic significance, recognizing it as the frontier for future conflicts. With adversaries like China accelerating their arsenal with a spectrum of A-Sat weaponry, India, with this move, would acknowledge the criticality of space dominance.

To counter potential threats, India is nurturing advanced winged bodies and is soon to integrate operational manoeuvres between air and space seamlessly. The transition extends to revamping existing operational missions from Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) towards encompassing Offensive Counter Space (OCS) and Defensive Counter Space (DCS) efforts. The evolution would also mean the integration of space within the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), fortifying comprehensive air and space situational awareness by amalgamating diverse sensor networks.

Air Marshal GS Bedi, as per reports, a former high-ranking IAF official, underscores the imperative to detect and neutralise evolving threats emanating from space, emphasising the necessity for heightened vigilance via integrated space-based sensors.Further, as per available information, the IAF has also commenced specialised training, including space-related contingencies, encompassing scenarios featuring GPS or satellite communication denials.  This initiative is likely to ensure uninterrupted operational efficacy despite potential adversities that curtail access to space-based capabilities.

Former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had also previously spoken about the redesignation to an 'Air and Space Force,' aligning with global precedents, emphasising the natural amalgamation of air power and space capabilities.