Air Chief Marshal AP Singh calls for India-specific theaterisation
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated theaterisation must reflect India's specific security needs.
- The IAF chief cautioned against a hurried implementation of the military reform plan.
- The proposed architecture includes Northern, Western, and Maritime theatre commands.
- AP Singh advocates for a model of centralised control and decentralised execution.
- Progress on the 2019 plan has stalled due to divergent views among the services.
On Sunday, 25 October 2026, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated that India must tailor its military theaterisation plan to specific national security requirements. He told the Indian Air Force that this reform should not be viewed as an exercise to permanently divide fighter assets geographically.
The Air Chief Marshal emphasized that India should build its own theaterisation structure rather than replicating foreign models. The rank of air chief marshal, which has origins in the British Royal Air Force, is equivalent to an admiral in the navy or a full general in the army.
Guiding principles of centralised control and decentralised execution
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the guiding principle for theaterisation should be "centralised control" where necessary and "decentralised execution" where appropriate. He stated that future conflicts will be multi-domain, requiring the three services to plan and operate together "far more closely than ever before".
The Air Chief Marshal noted that air power’s strengths include speed, reach, flexibility, and the ability to concentrate combat power rapidly. He said that with aerial refuelling, long-range weapons, and networked sensors, air power can be shifted between sectors as threats evolve.
Proposed architecture for integrated theatre commands
The proposed architecture involves integrated commands to combine the capabilities of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Each command functions as a single entity for its specific geographical territory to utilize resources optimally.
A Northern Theatre Command in Lucknow focuses on China, while a Western Theatre Command in Jaipur addresses challenges from Pakistan. A Maritime Theatre Command is planned for Thiruvananthapuram.
Divergent views and stalled progress on military reform
Progress on the theaterisation plan has stalled due to divergent views among the three services regarding command structures. The Indian Air Force has expressed reservations about splitting its fighter squadrons and cautioned against a hurried implementation.
The outgoing IAF chief has called for a phased approach to the process. He also warned against simply copying foreign models for the Indian military.
Strategic context and operational precedents
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh cited Operation Sindoor as an example of a successful joint architecture. This operation involved the Chief of Defence Staff and the three service chiefs using centralized allocation and swift reallocation of critical assets.
The IAF chief supports an India-specific model while monitoring China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific. AP Singh stated that the region demands vigilance and that the IAF is ready to safeguard national interests.
Historical origins and current leadership oversight
The theaterisation plan was announced in 2019 as the most ambitious military reform since Independence. Its primary goal is to integrate the three services for greater operational synergy.
Anil Chauhan submitted a comprehensive proposal on the plan to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Current Chief of Defence Staff Gen NS Raja Subramani is now focusing on the key aspects of the theaterisation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 'Need India-Specific Model': Air Force Chief On His Theaterisation Vision (ndtv.com)
- Air chief marshal (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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