In a historic step for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Government has approved the creation of a new branch, called the Weapon Systems (WS) branch. The creation of WS branch would entail unification of all weapon system operators under one entity dedicated to the operational employment of all ground-based and specialist airborne weapon systems.
The branch would encompass operators in four specialised streams of Surface-to-Surface missiles, Surface-to-Air missiles, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Weapon System Operators in twin/multi-crew aircraft. The branch will contribute immensely by enhancing the war fighting capability of the Indian Air Force.
This was announced by Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari On the occasion of the 90th Air Force Day celebrations, held first time out-side Delhi in Chandigarh. “It would save Rs 3,400 crore in flying training. This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created,” he said.
He also announced that IAF is also planning on induction of women Agniveers starting next year. Chaudhari said that the key to success in multidomain operations is to have flexible, robust and redundant command and control structures which will allow a joint force to dominate across domains.
“No single service can win a war on its own. Work is in progress to enhance jointness among the three services,” he said. A new pattern of combat uniforms for IAF personnel was also launched at the occasion.
The new branch will essentially man the specialised streams of surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft, he said. “The creation of this branch would result in savings of more than Rs 3,400 crore due to reduced expenditure on flying training,” he added.
Chaudhari inspected a ceremonial parade that was held at the air force station here Saturday morning to mark the IAF anniversary. It was followed by a march-past. He noted that the advent of drones, swarm drones, hypersonic weapons, and space-based ISR systems has added a new dimension to warfighting.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran, senior officers from the three services and Ministry of Defence, and veterans, were among those present on the occasion.
