Aerospace command soon to explore outer space: Tyagi

An aerospace command will be established soon to exploit outer space and to control space-based assets, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said today. The Indian Air Force IAF is in the process of establishing this command by integrating its capabilities, he told reporters.

An aerospace command will be established soon to exploit outer space and to control space-based assets, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said today. The Indian Air Force IAF is in the process of establishing this command by integrating its capabilities, he told reporters.

Tyagi8217;s remarks assume significance in the wake of reports that China successfully tested an anti-satellite missile.

8220;As the reach of the IAF is expanding, it has become extremely important that we exploit space and for it you need space assets,8221; Tyagi, who is due to retire in March, said.

8220;We are an aerospace power having trans-oceanic reach. We have started training a core group of people for the aerospace command.8221;

However, Tyagi who was here to attend a station commanders8217; conference of the South Western Air Command, was non-committal on the exact timeframe for setting up the command.

8220;We will take ISRO8217;s help for aerospace command, but it will have distinct features as it is a military command,8221; he said in reply to a question on the role of space agency in setting up the proposed formation.

The command will combine various components like satellites, radars, communications systems, and fighter aircraft and helicopters, IAF officers said.

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This will be done while taking into consideration diverse needs like communications, reconnaissance and battlefield damage assessment as the reach of the IAF has increased, they said.

To a question on China8217;s military modernisation drive, the Air Chief Marshal said, 8220;They are ahead in some fields in comparison to India and in some fields we are ahead. That country has huge resources due to their rapid economic development.8221; He said the role of IAF has changed with the times.