Indian Defence Review

To understand characteristics of Services, time devoted by practitioners of warfare cannot be mathematically divided in to three equal parts. While this may seem impartial, it does not cater to the reality. Perforce, more time needs to be spent on grasping air warfare since it has multiple routes to victory. For this the notion of aircraft as a ‘flying artillery piece’ will have to be discarded. Similarly, air warrior will need to understand the land war and naval war and dilemmas of land commander in firming up his plans or the need to have continued flexibility even during the battle.

Professional approach will pay far greater dividends than an approach, which emphasises physical togetherness as higher priority for enhancing jointmanship between air warriors and others. Increasing joint syllabus by only joint training will not promote jointmanship. Sometimes it may even defeat the objective when professionalism is given back bench in preference to pure camaraderie. Seen in this light, NDA and DSSC create a false and exaggerated impression of jointmanship. At one time we were five course-mates at DSSC, One Rear Adm, three Brigadiers and one Air Cmde. We were great friends and still are, had wonderful time socially. But faced with war, I am sure each one of us would put professionalism above friendship. Nobody will compromise in attaining war aims and objectives by sacrificing professionalism to friendship or ‘coursemateship’. So do I hope.

Greater benefits would accrue from practical joint training under warlike simulated conditions. This facet needs greater thought, time and effort than presently is the case.

In USA a Joint Force Command has been established in 1999 to enhance Jointness. It is recommending the creation of a national training ‘capability’, which would combine live, virtual and constructive simulations to create a joint training environment.13 Recently USAF has newly created the position of deputy chief of staff for war fighting integration to emphasise seamless C2 ISR against fleeting targets.14

Notes

1. US Doctrine on Jointness, Appendix A, A-1
2. Joint Force Quarterly, Autumn, USA, 1995.
3. Cropsey Seth, “The Limits of Jointness” Joint Force Quarterly Summer 1993 National Defence University USA pp 72-79. Seth has served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defence of Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict.
4. Defence News 3-9 Jun 02, p 18
5. Jane’s International Defence Review Jun 02, p 58.
6. Kaufman Daniel J, “National Security: Organising the Armed Forces”, Armed Forces and Society. USA p 102.
7. Kent A Gleen, “Defining the Role of Air Power in Joint Mission” RAND-USAF, Washington DC 1998 p 9.
8. Air Force (USAF) Magazine, Sep 01, p 74.
9. Jane’s International Defence Review Jun 02, p 58.
10. Clancy Tom with Fred Franks, “Into the Storm - A study in command” Sidgwick & Jackson, London, 1997 p 256.
11. Refer “Air War in West - History of 1971 Indo-Pak War” Official History by MOD India - on Internet.
12. Kent Ibid p 11
13. Jane’s Defence Weekly, 29 May 02, p 8.
14. Aviation Week & Space Technology 6 May 02, p 56.