IAF should head aerospace command: Major

Air Marshal F H Major today made it clear that Indian Air Force (IAF) should get a dominant position in the proposed aerospace command that is meant for giving a strategic cover for utilisation and protection of country's assets in the aerospace.

Speaking to mediapersons, the Indian Air Force chief said, "I will pursue the concept of aerospace command as vigorously as my predecessors did as it is an urgent requirement."

He, however, said while the proposed command would be a joint body of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, IAF should have a major say in it.

Major's remarks allude to the tussle over leadership role of the proposed body between the IAF and the Indian Navy. Also, it is the likely reason behind the inordinate delay in making aerospace command a reality.

Reports of several Parliamentary standing committees on defence have emphasised the need to establish an aerospace command. These reports have said the command is also needed to defend the country from an attack from the space.

Replying to queries, the IAF chief said the purchase of 126 fighter planes for the force was getting delayed due to the complicated contract clauses that were new to the prospective sellers too. He, however, said that such delays "were only expected" and did not worry him as "every force is capable of fighting to its best with whatever wherewithal it has."

Major said that the ongoing modernisation of the IAF was aimed at inducting high-end technologies, replacement and upgradation of weapon systems and induction of force multipliers. "We want to have a leaner and potent force that will be the finest global force," he added.

On the delay in induction of indigenously built Akash missile into the IAF, Major said this was due to "design glitches we have pointed to the DRDO".