Strong force must to tackle conflicts: IAF Chief

Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday emphasised the need for the IAF to remain prepared for any contingency, citing ongoing global conflicts as a reminder of the critical need for a strong and capable air force.

Speaking after reviewing the Air Force Day Parade at Air Force Station Tambaram near Chennai, during the 92nd Annual IAF Day celebrations, the IAF Chief stressed that adopting the latest technology, along with innovative and out-of-the-box thinking, would be decisive in today’s multi-domain environment.

“Over the years, the IAF has been empowered with advanced technology, achieving new levels of operational capability with systems and weapons,” he added.

Highlighting the importance of self-reliance, the IAF Chief said, “Self-reliance in defence and manufacturing is a priority.” He noted that concrete steps have been taken to support the ‘Make in India’ initiative by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, professionals, institutes, and academia. The Chief of Air Staff also underscored that Air Force Day serves as a moment for air warriors to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, reflect on the past year’s achievements, and identify areas for improvement to align with future requirements. He said, “One of our primary objectives is to deliver weapons on target, on time, every time.”