Indian Defence minister hails Air Force response during China’s threat at LAC

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated Air Force for ensuring a "timely and befitting response" to the sudden developments in eastern Ladakh. Last year, China had made attempts of transgression at Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and the Air Force rushed in to provide logistic support of Indian Army deployed at froward locations. During the address at the biannual Indian Air Force Commanders' Conference (AFCC-21) on Thursday at Air Headquarters, Singh advised the Commanders to draw up long term plans and strategies for capability enhancement to counter future threats. Defence minister also appreciated the "critical focus of Indian Air Force towards reorienting for the future". Referring to changing international geopolitics, he observed that the perceptible shift of focus from trans-Atlantic to 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," Singh said. The Commanders' Conference will conclude on April 16, 2021. 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," Indian Air Force said in a statement. About the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Singh hailed the role played by the Air Force in assisting other government agencies in their task. He reiterated the Indian Prime Minister's vision of ‘Self Reliance' and stressed on the need to promote Atmanirbharta in defence infrastructure. He added that the IAF's order for Light Combat Aircraft would result in a substantial boost to the domestic defence industry and will be a game changer from the indigenisation perspective. Earlier this year, IAF had ordered to procure 83 Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas' from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He urged the Commanders to continue their efforts for achieving even greater results in the field of indigenous defence production and aircraft maintenance. He 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 Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises in this field which will simultaneously serve the cause of self-reliance and socio-economic development of the country. He urged the Commanders to take stock and implement all directions issued by the Prime Minister during the Combined Commanders' Conference. He stressed on the need to continue to work proactively towards the integration process currently underway, implementation of the joint logistics plan and to enhance synergy in areas of joint planning and operations. In his closing remarks, Singh assured the the 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. Singh expressed happiness that the conference coincides with the birth anniversary of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Distinguished Flying Cross.