IAF commanders lay outs 10-year roadmap to enhance aerial strategies

New Delhi, July 25: The Indian Air Force laid out a 10-year roadmap after it concluded the three day Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC). The commanders had a series of discussions and reviews on operational preparedness and strategies to counter emerging security threats across the entire spectrum but especially on the northern and western fronts.

 

 

"They discussed the current situation and thereafter carried out a thorough review of the IAF’s transformation roadmap for the next decade," the statement from the release read. The IAF commanders held detailed deliberations on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in eastern Ladakh, key short-term and long-term security challenges facing the nation and on the complex geopolitical power play in India's neighbourhood, they said.

 

 

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General MM Naravane addressed the conference and interacted with the Commanders as well as the Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) on matters of jointness and integrated warfighting. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria reviewed the status and issues related to all Commands as well as branches at Air HQ.

 

In his closing address, the CAS articulated Vision 2030 laying down the milestones for the transformation of IAF in the coming decade. He stated that it was important to recognize the nature of emerging threats in a rapidly changing world.

 

Further, he also emphasised on the need for rapid capacity building, increase in serviceability of all assets and dedicated work towards effective integration of new technologies in the shortest timeframes. He reiterated that the IAF’s long term goals for sustainable capability mandate the acquisition and employment of niche technologies and development of indigenous platforms and weapons. Stating that human resource was the most valuable asset of the IAF, recruitment, training and motivation strategies, he asserted that we should keep pace with the changing times.

 

The inauguration was addressed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He had said, "the professional manner in which IAF conducted Balakot, as well as rapid deployment of IAF asset at forwarding locations in response to the prevailing situation in Eastern Ladakh, has sent a strong message. The nation's resolve to defend its sovereignty stands firm on the faith its people have in the capability of its Armed Forces. He alluded to the ongoing efforts for de-escalation on LAC and urged the IAF to stand ready to handle any eventuality."