IAF chief inaugurates weapons systems school to recalibrate air force

New Delhi: A Weapon Systems School, aimed at recalibrating and transforming the Indian Air Force into a future-oriented force, was inaugurated in Hyderabad on Tuesday by Indian Air Force Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, officials said. The establishment of the new training establishment is a “giant leap” for the armed forces in general and the IAF in particular, the force said in a statement.

A new chapter was ushered in the history of the IAF with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School (WSS) at Begumpet airbase in Hyderabad on July 1.

This follows the approval of the Weapons System (WS) branch, a new officer branch of the IAF, in 2022.

“Aimed at recalibrating and transforming the Indian Air Force into a future-oriented force, the formation of this new training establishment is a giant leap for the Armed Forces in general and the Indian Air Force in particular,” the statement said.

The WSS will impart effect-based training of contemporary nature and prepare officers of the newly formed branch as per IAF requirements, officials said.

“With the inauguration of WSS, the flying cadets of WS Branch will undergo their second semester of training at this institute. The new branch will have four streams: a flying stream to operate weapons and systems in airborne platforms like Sukhoi-30 MKI and C-130J; a remote stream to operate remotely piloted aircraft; mission commanders and operators for surface-to-air and surface-to-surface weapon systems; and an intelligence stream to manage space intelligence and imagery,” the statement said. During the interaction, the IAF chief stressed that with the establishment of WS Branch, operators of land-based and specialised weapon systems will be brought under one roof, significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of the IAF. He urged the instructors that as pioneers of a newly formed branch, they are the pillars on which the entire edifice of the envisaged training regime will stand firmly and provide decisive air power.

While congratulating the founding members of WSS, Air Marshal Chaudhari urged all personnel to make the school a nodal centre for weapons systems training in the country.

The creation of the WS branch was announced by the IAF chief during the Air Force Day Parade celebrations on October 8, 2022.