Hyderabad: A significant milestone has been achieved in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School (WSS) by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad, on July 1, 2024.
This development follows the establishment of the Weapon System (WS) branch in 2022, aimed at modernizing and transforming the IAF into a future-ready force. The formation of this new training institution marks a monumental leap for both the Armed Forces and the IAF in particular.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari was welcomed by Air Vice Marshal Premkumar Krishnaswamy, Commandant of the Weapon Systems School. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of distinguished guests including Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and other senior IAF officers such as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy, the Commandant of the College of Air Warfare, the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Hakimpet, and the Station Commander of Air Force Station Begumpet.
The WSS aims to provide contemporary, effect-based training, aligning with the evolving needs of the IAF. With the establishment of the WSS, Flight Cadets of the WS Branch will undergo their second semester of training at this state-of-the-art institute. The new branch is divided into four streams: the Flying stream, which will operate weapons and systems on airborne platforms such as the Sukhoi-30 MKI and C-130J; the Remote stream for operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft; the Mission Commanders and operators stream for Surface-to-Air and Surface-to-Surface weapon systems; and the Intelligence stream for handling space-based intelligence and imagery.
During the inauguration, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari emphasized that the creation of the WS Branch would unify operators of ground-based and specialist weapon systems under a single umbrella, significantly enhancing the IAF’s warfighting capabilities. He encouraged the instructors, as pioneers in this new branch, to be the foundational pillars of the envisioned the instructors, as pioneers in this new branch, to be the foundational pillars of the envisioned training regime, ensuring the delivery of decisive air power. While commending the founding members of the School, he urged all personnel to establish the WSS as a central hub for weapon systems training in the country.
The creation of the WS Branch was initially announced by the CAS during the Air Force Day Parade celebrations on October 8, 2022. The inauguration of the WSS is a testament to the IAF’s commitment to evolving with the times and preparing its personnel for the challenges of modern warfare.
Pic Source: IAF