IAF Chief Cautions Against Rushed Theaterisation, Highlights Op Sindoor

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh cautioned against rushing theaterisation, citing risks to operational efficiency. Highlighting Operation Sindoor, he reaffirmed air power’s primacy and proposed a Joint Planning and Coordination Centre in Delhi for tri-services synergy.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Tuesday stressed the need for caution in implementing theaterisation plans for the Indian armed forces, warning against rushing into structural changes that could disrupt existing frameworks.

Speaking at a fireside chat with Lt Gen Raj Shukla (retd) during Ran Samwad 2025, a first-of-its-kind tri-service dialogue at the Army War College in Mhow, the Air Chief underscored the importance of creating a Joint Planning and Coordination Centre in Delhi under the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The move, he suggested, would help strengthen cooperation among the three services without dismantling established structures prematurely.

Air Chief Marshal Singh also highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor, conducted earlier this year, noting that the mission once again reaffirmed the “primacy of air power” in modern warfare. The operation, jointly executed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, demonstrated the critical role of air superiority in ensuring operational success.

His remarks signal a balanced approach to defense reforms, advocating for measured progress towards jointness while ensuring operational effectiveness remains uncompromised.