NEW DELHI, Oct 8 — The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis today stressed on the need for maintaining a deterrent posture specially under the new security dimension in the region.

Addressing the Air Force parade at the Palam Grounds to mark its 68th anniversary, the Air Chief said that Indian Air Force’s strategies and its operational concepts were also being reviewed constantly to meet all kinds of contingencies in future. While pointing out that our security concerns needed “unremitting vigilance”, he added that professional training and development of air warrior qualities were being strengthened to meet all future challenges.

Air Chief Marshal Tipnis also stressed on the need for early transition to aero-space power. “Under the new security dimension, we have to prepare for a smooth transition from air-power to aero-space power,” he said.

Asked whether aero-space programming was necessary in view of any threat perception, he told reporters this was not being done “keeping any front in mind”.

Asserting that aero-space would be a vital element of future planning, Air Chief Marshal Tipnis denied that after Kargil incursions there was any change in country’s air force strategy.

“Air force is inherently an offensive phenomenon. It is not that suddenly we are going offensive. We have to use the air power to be upfront. Of course, air defence is also an important component,” he said.

The Air Chief pointing to the need for modernisation of the fleet said, “fighter helicopters are being upgraded in avionics, systems and armaments. We are getting additions to Mirage-2000, Jaguar and Mi-17 fleets and the contract for the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is to be finalised shortly”.

The glittering ceremony was marked by synchronised aerobatics by nine trainer aircraft Suryakiran coming in varied formations at the same height and speed. The parade was attended by Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Sushil Kumar, Chief of Army Staff Gen S. Padmanabhan, Defence Secretary T.R. Prasad and senior officers from the three services.

Nine jet trainers alternately changed formations ranging from diamond to wine glass and even formed a replica of Sukhoi enthralling the capacity crowd including Chief of South African Air Force Lt-Gen R.J. Buekes, the chief guest on the occasion.