New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today urged the Indian Air Force to develop and be ready with strategies against future challenges and enhance the force’s capability.
Inaugurating the Second bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference here, the Minister said, “The IAF is growing steadily towards becoming a truly strategic aerospace power”.
He said, the country was strengthening its defence capability through increased domestic production and reduced dependence on import of military hardware, according to an official statement.
“We have to seize new opportunities for indigenous design and development and I appreciate the IAF’s effort in this regard,” he added.
The Minister also praise the IAF for its professionalism and lauded all the air warriors and their families for giving the country a most competent and combat worthy force. Adding that, “The IAF has proven itself time and again. It has earned the respect of foreign Air Forces who are eager to cooperate as well as exercise with us”.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria while addressing the Commanders emphasised the need for further enhancing the operational capabilities to deter any misadventure by adversaries.
He highlighted the need for continuous enhancement of in-house maintenance capabilities and optimum utilisation of new inductions in order to make IAF a formidable combat force.
The Air chief also emphasised the need for enhanced joint training with the Indian Army as well as the Indian Navy for fostering jointmanship and ensuring national security.
During the two-day Commanders’ Conference, discussions will take place on joint operations, anti-drone operations, countering asymmetric warfare and strengthening precision targeting, cyber and information warfare capability.
Issues pertaining to indigenisation, streamlining procurement of equipment, strengthening training and optimisation of the HR policies would also be discussed, the statement said.
Present were MoS defence Shripad Yesso Naik, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Secretary Defence Production Subhash Chandra.
