Overview
- Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, speaking on Saturday, Aug 22, 2026, said the Indian Air Force is not opposed to geographically defined theatre commands but wants a measured, step‑by‑step transition to avoid disrupting current operations.
- He urged against transplanting foreign command models and said a composite team at Air Headquarters is objectively studying how to design a structure suited to India’s security needs.
- Major technical issues remain open, notably how to divide and control air and strategic assets, whether some capabilities would stay under central control in Delhi, and who would lead the proposed Western, Northern and Maritime commands.
- The IAF pressed for faster indigenisation and greater private‑sector production plus investment in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to ensure the new command system can be supported logistically and operationally.
- Theatreisation was set as a goal in 2019 and any final plan will be decided by the Defence Ministry and the Chief of Defence Staff, with a phased rollout likely to change procurement, training, force structure and daily operations over time.