Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh Outlines IAF Theaterisation Strategy

Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh announced on October 25, 2026, that the Indian Air Force supports the government's theaterisation plan but insists on a structure tailored to India's specific security needs rather than foreign models. He advocated for a guiding principle of centralised control and decentralised execution to preserve the speed and flexibility of air power, explicitly arguing against the permanent geographical division of fighter assets.

Singh called for a phased implementation of the reforms to ensure operational readiness is not compromised. The theaterisation plan, introduced in 2019, seeks to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force into three commands based in Lucknow, Jaipur, and Thiruvananthapuram. While the IAF remains committed to jointness, progress has stalled due to service-level disagreements over command structures and asset allocation.

Addressing broader security, Singh stated that recent developments in the Indo-Pacific require increased vigilance and credible deterrence to protect India's sovereignty. He noted that the IAF is shifting toward a capability-centric approach, integrating sensors and networks to detect emerging challenges. Singh cited Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as validation of this current strategy.