Shillong, Nov 19: The process of establishing the
proposed Aerospace Command here, vital for air dominance, is
on fast-track, Air Chief Marshal F H Major said on Monday.
"A space cell has been set up under the Air Vice-Marshal.
A tri-service dialogue will soon be held between the three
Defence Forces as Aerospace Command will be a tri-services
entity," he said.
Once the Aerospace Command is created the strategic reach
of the country would extend beyond the confines of the globe,
he said but declined to comment on the time-frame required to
establish it.
He said Indian Air Force had emerged as a potent force
with trans-continental reach, but transformation from a
low-end to a high-end technology force required time.
"Before going ahead on the ground, it is necessary to
assimilate knowledge and create a knowledge base. We are
vigorously pursuing the matter," he said.
The Aerospace Command, which was mooted by Major's
predecessor ACM (Retd) S P Tyagi, will exploit outer space and
also control the country's space-based assets.
Defence sources said training has started for a core
group of people for the proposed Command.
Being set up with help from ISRO, the Command will have
distinct features as it is a military command and various
components ranging from satellites, radars, communication
systems, fighter aircraft and helicopters, keeping in mind
diverse needs such as communications, reconnaissance and
battlefield damage assessment.
The Command will also be used for civilian purposes by
ISRO, the sources said.
IAF plans to induct stealth technology in 5th generation fighters
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning
to induct stealth technology and super manoeuvrability in its
proposed fifth generation fighters to be jointly developed
with Russia, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha
on Monday.
He said the new generation fighters would be equipped
with super cruise missiles, smart weapons and would be
network-centric warfare platforms.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the
minister said officials from Hindustan Aeronautics, IAF and
the Russian Sukhoi Aviation were meeting here to prepare a
detailed project report on the new fighters.
Antony also said at a meeting that the delivery
schedule, cost of development and cost sharing would also be
worked out.
New Delhi was seeking to enhance its air power
capability through the development of such aircraft, he added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, November 19, 2007, 00:00