Separate commands for special operations, cyber security, space: NAK Browne, Chief, IAF

NEW DELHI: The armed forces propose to set up three separate commands in the fields of special operations, cyber security and space, IAF Chief NAK Browne said.

"We are in the process of setting up three commands which will be steered by particular service and they will be headed by three-star officers," he told DD News in an interview.

He said as per the plans, the Special Operations command will be headed by an Army officer and the Space command by an IAF officer, while the Cyber command will get its head on rotational basis from the three services.

Browne said the Andaman and Nicobar Command, now headed by officers from the three services on a rotational basis, will be under a Navy Vice Admiral.

The IAF Chief said a proposal in this regard would soon be sent for the approval of the Government.

Commenting on the strategic reach of the force, he said the IAF has the capability to carry out operations to safeguard India's interest in regions beyond its neighbourhood such as protecting Indian diaspora in other countries and Army's UN peacekeeping operations.

Browne said the IAF was expecting to induct the first squadrons of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the light-weight multi-role jet fighter, by the end of 2015.

He expressed hope that the deal to procure 126 multi-role combat aircraft from French Dassault Rafale would be completed in the next few months as negotiations between the two sides were progressing.

Asked about the leakage of sensitive information in armed forces, the IAF chief said sensitive information should be protected not only in defence but in all departments.