IAF should consider transforming into Aerospace Force, as Space is being

New Delhi: The acceleration of Space militarisation may pose a great challenge in the future. The country needs to be fully prepared for space attacks and protect Indian satellites, spacecraft and other assets in Space. Subsequently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the Indian Air Force should consider setting up an airspace force given future space threats.

Moreover, transformation is a law of nature and this law also applies to war. ‘Therefore, we have to keep predicting future war tactics,’ said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, adding that anti-India countries were taking swift steps towards military use of Space. The ongoing militarisation of Space could also threaten India’s interests. The Defence Minister warned that this poses a threat to Indian Space and land resources.

Therefore, it is essential to be fully prepared for future security challenges, said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Although he did not name any country, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning hinted at China. The Defence Minister spoke at a lecture held at the Air Marshal PC Red Memorial, wherein Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhary was also present.

The Defence Minister appealed to the people to develop technology, acquire skills and manage human resources to protect the country its resources in Space from possible attacks. Rajnath Singh also said that the Air Force should set up aerospace for this purpose and prepare for future challenges.

The satellites and spacecraft launched into Space by China have been alleged to be released for militarisation, including research and surveillance. Last year, the US Central Intelligence Agency published a report and mentioned that China was militarising Space to assert dominance. According to the report, China has technologies such as the Direct Energy System to intercept space satellites.

The United States has already built up its Space Force. Russia is a space force and three years ago, NATO had declared Space as the fifth battlefield. Since then, France, the United States and Germany have also set up space forces to deal with future space threats. In this context, the suggestion of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to the Air Force to set up an Air Space Force is essential. Meanwhile, the future of war will be determined by the situations in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now the conflict in Ukraine. Although these trends are suggestive, we can gain a deeper understanding by correlating them with our local threats. For this, the government resolves to provide specialised skills training to the Armed Forces personnel, especially the IAF, to prepare them to combat, said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

At the same time, there is no guarantee that expensive weapons will give you victory. Weapons of new technology can be accumulated. But these weapons cannot guarantee victory. But the benefit depends on how these weapons are utilised and implemented while fighting the battles. Technology is essential; there is no doubt about it. However, these technologies and systems would be a mere display without proper deployment, explained Rajnath Singh.