The first batch of officers for the newly created Weapon Systems Branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) passed out from the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad on Saturday.
They were among the 204 cadets, including 26 women from flying and ground duty streams, who were commissioned as flying officers at the Combined Graduation Parade, which was reviewed by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
A two-stage training curriculum has been developed for the weapon system operators, with the initial training at the AFA and subsequent training at the newly established Weapon Systems School at Begumpet near Hyderabad to focus on specialised skills.
During the Air Force Day celebrations held at Chandigarh in 2022, the then Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhari, had announced the creation of the Weapon Systems Branch for its officers, aimed at unification of all weapon system operators in specialist ground-based systems and airborne platforms under a single stream. This was the first time since Independence that a new operational branch was created in the IAF.
“This will essentially be for the manning of four specialised streams of surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin-seat and multi-crew aircraft,” Choudhari had said during his address. “Creation of this branch would result in savings of over Rs 3,400 crore due to reduced expenditure on flying training,” he had further said.
The branch is divided into four sub-streams, each with its own specialisation to carry out the launch of weapons, collate information, and even operate space assets. These are surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air guided missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and all weapon system operators in twin-seat and multi-crew aircraft.
The first sub-stream in this category will be weapon systems operators, ‘Flying,’ in aircraft like the Su-30MKI, attack helicopters like the AH-64E Apache, Soviet-origin Mi-25/35 and indigenous Prachand, and special operations aircraft C-130J Super Hercules.
The second sub-stream is ‘Remote,’ involving operations by UAVs or drones. There are several types of UAVs operated by the IAF for various missions such as attack, surveillance, and logistics. Some are sourced from foreign suppliers like the US and Israel, while others are designed and manufactured indigenously.
The third sub-stream is ‘Intelligence,’ comprising the interpretation of imagery obtained through surveillance assets in space, aircraft, or UAVs. It will also include intelligence analysts, information warfare specialists, observers, signal intelligence collators, as well as operators of space systems.
The fourth sub-stream is ‘Surface.’ It shall have commanders and operators of surface-to-air guided weapons and surface-to-surface platforms. It involves operations by all defence missile systems like the Akash as well as ballistic and cruise missiles like the Prithvi and BrahMos meant to attack land targets.
In his address at the graduation parade today, Air Chief Marshal Singh underscored the certainty of the fast-evolving nature of warfare and the increasing relevance of aerospace, where the new generation of officers will be a part of this exciting and ever-evolving domain.
He said no branch and service could operate in isolation, adding that every officer had a vital role to play in operations, for which they must understand their role and do their best.
Flying Officer Parag Dhankar was awarded the President’s Plaque as well as the Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour for standing first in the overall order of merit in the pilots’ course, while Flying Officer Ram Prasad Gurjar was awarded the President’s Plaque for being first in the overall order of merit in the ground duty stream.
