Indian Security challenges: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), spoke about the need to quickly improve India’s military strength to face new security challenges. He said this during his visit to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington on March 11-12, 2025. He talked to student officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force who are taking the 80th Staff Course. He also met the college’s teachers.
The Air Chief stressed the importance of working together as a team. He said the Army, Navy, and Air Force must train and operate together to become stronger. “We need to think about new threats and find smart ways to deal with them,” he told the officers, according to New Indian Express. He also explained how the Indian Air Force (IAF) is improving its skills and why working together is key to winning modern battles. He praised IAF officers and soldiers for their hard work in protecting India.
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The DSSC, which started in 1905, trains officers from all three military branches to become skilled leaders. During his visit, the Air Chief learned about the college’s training programs. These programs focus on teaching officers how to work together as a team. He said the college is doing a great job preparing future leaders through tough training.
For the first time, the DSSC started a special joint training program as part of the 80th Staff Course. Around 40 officers were chosen to join this new program. The goal is to teach officers from different military branches how to work together from the very beginning. The college has a new team to lead this training, headed by a brigadier-level officer. The college’s commandant oversees this program, along with other training activities.
The Air Chief’s visit showed the IAF’s commitment to making the military stronger by working together. He has also talked about the need for more fighter jets in the Air Force. Right now, the IAF has 30 squadrons, but it needs 42 to be fully prepared. Meanwhile, countries like China and Pakistan are adding more weapons and equipment to their militaries.
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Changes in Indian Military
Big changes are happening in India’s military to make it more united and ready for future challenges. The Department of Military Affairs (DMA), led by General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), is working on these changes. The plan is to create Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), where the Army, Navy, and Air Force will work together in specific regions. To make this happen, the military is also changing how officers are trained and assigned to different roles.
In 2023, junior officers started working in different military branches for the first time. Senior officers will also take on new roles in 2024. In January 2025, the leaders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force agreed to share their personal staff, like Aide-de-Camps (ADCs), with each other. This is another step toward making the military more united.
