An Air Defence Command On The Cards

In News

In his first meeting as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat has directed the officials to chalk out plans for setting up an Air Defence Command (ADC).

In-Detail

• At the first meeting held at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat outlined priorities of setting up an air defence command and the final plan is to be completed by June 2020.
• At the meet, he also outlined priorities to create jointness and synergy among the three services.
• The execution of synergies must be completed by December 31, 2020.
• Areas of synergies include creating of common logistics support in stations where two are more services are stationed.
• The General also noted that there will be efforts to reduce infructuous ceremonial activities that are manpower intensive.
• He emphasised on the collegiate system of functioning and directed the three services and the coast guard to coordinate and consult on their views in a time-bound manner.
• But, the decisions will be based on the optimal utilisation of resources.

The ADC

• When it becomes operational, the ADC will only be the third unified defence command.
• The other two are the Strategic Forces Command to handle nuclear arsenal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Command.
• Integrated commands reduces proclivity of the tri-services to protect their turfs and promote coordination among them and better utilisation of manpower and resources.
• While IAF is the predominant provider of air defence, the navy and the army has its own air defence wings.
• By having a unified command, there will be coordination and optimal utilisation of the air defence resources along disputed borders and to protect cities like Delhi.