Sunday, November 6 2005 14:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government is considering an Indian Air Force proposal to create an aerospace command within the service for the use of space for military applications.

"Pursuant to the recommendations of the (Parliamentary) Standing Committee of Defence, the issues highlighted and the evolving global scenario, we propose to form an Aerospace Command in the IAF. This is under consideration of the Government," Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi said in an interview in the forthcoming issue of 'Indian Defence Review'.

Observing that the country had over the years built adequate capability in civilian space technology, he said, "Our military use of space has, however, been minimal."

Tyagi said there was presently no national policy on use of space for military applications and also 'no dedicated central institution to address related issues' and added that the envisaged role of the Aerospace Command would be to fill this void.

Keeping this in mind, the proposal was sent to the Government "For its approval in principle after which details would be worked out", the Air Chief said.

Elaborating on the proposed Aerospace Command, he said it would coordinate space related activities and requirements of the IAF and the other services.