The Defence Minister AK Antony today asked the top brass of Indian Air Force to strike a fine balance between plugging the gaps in the procurement procedures and optimizing transparency and fairness in defence dealings without compromising on country’s defence preparedness.
Addressing the Air Force Commanders’ Conference, he said the primacy of air power will be a decisive factor in shaping the outcome of conflicts of the future and complimented the Indian Air Force for evolving into a major component of national power. He recalled a significant contribution made by the transport and helicopter fleet during the terror attack on Mumbai as also rescue and relief operations in Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.
Greater synergy needed
Antony called for greater synergy and reduction in procedural delays among various headquarters and departments to achieve the objective of modernization of the Armed Forces. He also called for jointness in operation, training and administration to keep pace with technological changes, geostrategic imperatives and for tackling changing nature of conflict.
“The jointness of approach must address areas such as common defence communication network, missile programme, exploration of space and integrated logistics,” he said.
Referring to Pakistan, he said, we would not take the peace process with Islamabad further until it takes stern action on terrorism emanating from its soil.
Antony said the process of finalizing a set of operational directives for the three Services is now on. The directives factor in the changes in the security environment in the immediate neighbourhood and need for the Services to work in close coordination.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal F H Major, in his address outlined the theme of the conference – “Developing Credible Capabilities for Flexible Employment of Aerospace Power.”
Over the next three days, the Commanders will discuss and debate some key issues and re-orient the operational thinking in the IAF. The IAF has vigorously pursued a path of modernization and transformation of its overall capability in the recent pat with the initiation and induction of many large projects.
The induction of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) system, Su-30 MKI, many types of sensors, weapon systems and the forthcoming induction of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), will transform the IAF into the generation ahead. Operationalising and absorbing these technologies is the key focus of the IAF.