New Delhi, April 15: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday congratulated Indian Air Force (IAF) for ensuring a timely and befitting response to the sudden developments in Eastern Ladakh in a reference to the recent face-off with the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) in Eastern Ladakh.

Speaking at the ongoing bi-annual three-day Commanders conference here, he advised the Commanders to draw up long-term plans and strategies for capability enhancement to counter future threats and appreciated the critical focus of IAF towards reorienting for the future.

Referring to changing international geopolitics, he observed that the perceptible shift of focus from the Trans-Atlantic to the Trans-Pacific has become more obvious in the recent past. “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”, Mr. Singh said.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Self Reliance’, the RM stressed the need to promote Atmanirbharta in Defence Infrastructure. He also said that the IAF’s order for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) would result in a substantial boost to the domestic defence industry and will be a game-changer from the indigenisation perspective.

Mr. Rajnath Singh also urged the Commanders to continue their efforts for achieving even greater results in the field of indigenous defence production and aircraft maintenance.

Noting that the national security and economic development are complementary aspects of national policy Mr. Singh underscored that 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.

In his closing remarks, the RM assured the AF Commanders of the wholehearted support from the Ministry of Defence in achieving the goal of being a potent Strategic Aerospace Force. He expressed confidence that important decisions taken during the conference would enhance the combat potential of the IAF.

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 about systems, reforms, and restructuring for ensuring more efficient processes across all domains and optimised operational training will also be discussed in this three-day deliberation. (UNI)