ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the IndianAir Force, delivered a stark assessment of contemporary security challengesat the 22nd Subroto Mukherjee Seminar in New Delhi, emphasizing thatescalating global instability underscores the indispensable role of strongair power and resolute national will in defence strategy. Citing recentgeopolitical developments, he argued that military strength remains theultimate arbiter of national power, warning that economic prowess alonecannot safeguard sovereignty in an unpredictable world order.
The seminar, organized by the Centre for Aerospace Power and StrategicStudies, provided a platform for strategic discourse on aerospacecapabilities and national security. Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted howair power has repeatedly proven decisive in India’s operations, includingrapid responses that deliver strategic effects within hours. He referencedhistorical and recent examples where nations lacking sufficient militarypower faced subjugation, stressing the need for India to prioritize airdominance to deter threats effectively.
Global instability, marked by conflicts and power shifts, has amplified therelevance of air power in modern warfare. The Air Chief pointed to casessuch as Venezuela and Iraq, where external pressures exploited militaryweaknesses, demonstrating that without robust armed forces and the will toemploy them, national interests remain vulnerable. This assessment alignswith broader observations of chaotic international environments requiringproactive defence preparedness.
In the regional context, the Indian Air Force has demonstrated operationaleffectiveness in countering threats, including swift strikes duringOperation Sindoor in 2025, which targeted multiple bases to convey resolve.Such capabilities underscore air power’s role in not only combat but alsohumanitarian evacuations and signalling deterrence, reinforcing theargument for sustained investment in aerospace assets to maintain strategicadvantage.
Air Chief Marshal Singh urged accelerated modernization to address evolvingchallenges, implicitly acknowledging the rapid advancements in neighbouringair forces. Reports indicate Pakistan Air Force continues to integrate newtechnologies and platforms, prompting concerns within Indian defencecircles about maintaining parity. The IAF chief’s call for swiftgovernmental action reflects the urgency to bridge gaps in squadronstrength and technological capabilities.
Strategic partnerships with advanced nations emerge as a critical pathwayfor acquiring cutting-edge technologies. India has deepened ties withFrance through successive Rafale acquisitions, enhancing multi-role combatcapabilities and interoperability. Concurrently, historical cooperationwith Russia persists, though shifting dynamics suggest diversified sourcingto ensure timely induction of advanced systems like fifth-generationfighters.
The emphasis on air power extends to self-reliance initiatives, yet the AirChief highlighted that timelines in research and development must alignwith operational needs to remain relevant. Delays in indigenous programsnecessitate interim measures through international collaborations, ensuringthe IAF remains equipped to handle multi-domain threats in an era of rapidtechnological evolution.
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National security demands a holistic approach where military strengthcomplements diplomatic and economic tools. Air Chief Marshal Singhcongratulated the organizing body for fostering intellectual preparednessamong armed forces personnel, enabling them to navigate complex securitylandscapes. Such forums contribute to strategic foresight essential forlong-term defence planning.
The address serves as a reminder that air superiority is not merelytactical but integral to national power projection. In an increasinglycontested airspace, nations must cultivate both capability and intent toemploy air assets decisively. India’s defence strategy, therefore, requiresurgent focus on enhancing air power to safeguard sovereignty amid risinguncertainties.
The seminar’s timing coincides with ongoing regional tensions and globalrealignments, amplifying the message that complacency in defencemodernization could prove costly. Air Chief Marshal Singh’s remarksreinforce the imperative for policy-makers to prioritize air forceenhancements, ensuring India emerges as a credible force in regional andglobal security dynamics.
Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-chief-says-air-power-was-key-in-sending-signal-to-pak-during-op-sindoor-it-did-the-trick-101768989835547.html
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