A group of 120 senior officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, currently participating in the 54th Higher Command Course at the Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, visited the Western Air Command (WAC) headquarters today. The visit, which took place on Thursday afternoon, aimed to provide future military leaders with comprehensive briefings on joint military operations and an in-depth understanding of the Air Force’s operational concepts within WAC’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The Western Air Command, headquartered in New Delhi, is the largest regional command of the Indian Air Force, overseeing aerial defence across northern India. Its AOR stretches from Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan, encompassing key states such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1947 as the No. 1 Operational Group, WAC has played a pivotal role in major conflicts since India’s independence, including the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1986), and Operation Safed Sagar during the 1999 Kargil War.
Notably, during the Kargil conflict, WAC conducted over 5,000 sorties, demonstrating its strategic importance. The command also supports critical air logistics operations, such as supplying troops at the Siachen Glacier using Mi-17 helicopters, a capability honed since the post-1962 restructuring.
The visiting officers, representing a mix of services, received detailed insights into WAC’s operational strategies, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on integrated military planning. This aligns with the nation’s preparedness for potential “two-front” conflicts, driven by the strategic environment in South Asia, particularly tensions with China and Pakistan. The training underscores the need for interoperability and jointness, concepts increasingly vital as modern warfare leverages information technology and C4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) systems.
Army War College: A Premier Training HubThe Higher Command Course is conducted under the aegis of the Army War College (AWC) in Mhow, a prestigious defence training and research institution established on April 1, 1971, following the merger of the Senior Officers’ and Tactical Wings of the Infantry School. Renamed the Army War College on January 1, 2003, it is led by a three-star officer.
The college is renowned for developing military doctrines, researching tactics, logistics, and contemporary warfare, and training approximately 2,500 to 3,000 officers annually from the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary units. It also hosts around 100 foreign military officers each year, fostering international collaboration.
AWC’s curriculum emphasizes synchronized operations across services, validated through war games, seminars, and conceptual studies. The institution’s War College Journal, previously known as the Combat Journal, serves as a platform for disseminating research and insights. The college’s strategic location in Mhow and its focus on adapting to modern technologies and operational environments make it a cornerstone of India’s military education system, preparing leaders for complex, high-stakes scenarios along the country’s northern borders.
This visit to WAC marks a significant step in enhancing the operational readiness of India’s future military leadership, building on lessons from historical conflicts and the evolving demands of 21st-century warfare.
