India needs an aerospace command
January 28, Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi said that India needed an aerospace command to exploit the outer space and it would be established soon. He told reporters that the Indian Air Force (IAF) was in the process of establishing, an aerospace command to exploit outer space by integrating its capabilities.
He remarked that the China successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon by destroying one of its own weather satellites. The remark of Air Chief, here to attend the South Western Air Commanders’ conference.
He said that as the reach of the Indian Air Force was expanding, it had become extremely important that they exploit space assets. He added that they were an aeroscope power having trans-oceanic reach and they had started training a core group of people for the ‘aeroscope command’.
Tyagi was non-committal on the exact time frame for setting up the command. He said in reply to a question that they would take help of ISRO for the aerospace command but it would have distinct features as it was a military command. IAF officers said that the Aerospace command would be an integration of various components of the Air Force. They also said that the Indian satellites, raders, communications systems, fighter aircraft and helicopters would be integrated under the command.
Tyagi replied to a question about military development in China, he said that they were ahead in some fields and that country had huge resources due to their rapid economic development. At the same time air force chiefs from 37 countries will converge in the capital next month.
