Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advises IAF to plan and strategise for future threats

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has advised the Air Force Commanders to draw up long term plans and strategies for capability enhancement to counter future threats. Addressing the biannual IAF Commanders’ Conference (AFCC-21) on 15 Apr 21 at Air Headquarters Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated IAF for ensuring a timely and befitting response to the sudden developments in Eastern Ladakh. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) welcomed the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior officials from the MoD. The first bi-annual conference of 2021 coincided with the birth anniversary of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, who has been an inspiration for the air warriors. 

Changing international geopolitics

The changing international geopolitics was the focus of the IAF Commanders' Conference. It was observed that the perceptible shift of focus from Trans-Atlantic to Trans-Pacific has become more obvious in the recent past. The Defence Minister said, that Changing dimensions of war would now include advanced technologies, asymmetric capabilities and info-dominance, and it was very important that the IAF’s preparations for the future must include these aspects. He appreciated the critical focus of IAF towards reorienting for the future.

Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Self Reliance’ was also reiterated by the RM as he stressed the need to promote Atmanirbharta in Defence Infrastructure. He added that the IAF’s order for LCA would result in a substantial boost to the domestic defence industry and will be a game-changer from the indigenisation perspective. He urged the Commanders to continue their efforts for achieving even greater results in the field of indigenous defence production and aircraft maintenance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added that national security and economic development are complementary aspects of national policy. The IAF’s support for the indigenous industry would result in the development of MSMEs in this field which will simultaneously serve the cause of self-reliance and socio-economic development of the country.

The Defence Minister stressed the need to continue to work proactively towards the integration process currently underway, implementation of the joint logistics plan and enhance synergy in areas of joint planning and operations. The IAF Commanders were assured of the wholehearted support from the Ministry of Defence in achieving the goal of being a potent Strategic Aerospace Force by the Raksha Mantri. He expressed confidence that important decisions taken during the conference would enhance the combat potential of the IAF.

The Commanders’ Conference

The Commanders’ Conference will conclude on 16 Apr 21. The status of strengthening current combat capabilities and the action plan for making IAF a future-ready combat force would be examined. Issues pertaining to systems, reforms and restructuring for ensuring more efficient processes across all domains and optimised operational training will also be discussed.