7 hrs ago
IAF Chief Says Force Needs Faster Induction and Greater Combat Mass
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh says the Indian Air Force is moving in the right direction.
He also says it needs to move faster as technology changes quickly.
He wants the force to gain new capabilities sooner and build more combat strength in some areas.
Some projects, including the Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A, have been delayed.
The IAF has shifted its focus from individual platforms to what its capabilities can do together.
Singh said this approach proved useful during Operation Sindoor.
He said operations and military exercises have tested the force.
Disaster-relief work has taken it beyond India's borders, while air diplomacy has helped expand partnerships.
Singh is due to retire this month, and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been named his successor.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said the Indian Air Force is moving in the right direction but could progress faster.
He said the force needs greater capacity, faster induction and more combat mass in some areas.
Singh acknowledged delays in capability-related projects, including the Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A programme.
He said the IAF has shifted toward a capability-centric approach with greater integration, which he said proved its worth during Operation Sindoor.
Singh said operations, military exercises, disaster-relief missions and air diplomacy have tested the force and expanded its reach and partnerships.
- Who
- Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff.
- What
- Singh said the Indian Air Force is progressing but needs faster capability induction, greater capacity and more combat mass in some areas.
- Where
- Air Force Auditorium at Subroto Park.
- When
- Wednesday, at an event held on the eve of the IAF's 94th anniversary.
- Why
- Singh said the force needs to bolster capabilities amid rapidly evolving technology and address areas requiring faster induction and more combat mass.
Current Progress
Need for Faster Progress
Pace of capability development
Current Progress
Singh said the IAF is progressing in the right direction and has enhanced its capabilities.
Need for Faster Progress
He said the pace could be faster and the force needs greater capacity, faster induction and more combat mass in some areas.
Key facts
- Occasion
- Event on the eve of the Indian Air Force's 94th anniversary
- Speaker
- Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff
- Successor
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
- Retirement
- Singh is due to retire this month
- Project delay cited
- Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A programme
- Approach described
- Shift from platform-centric to capability-centric, with greater integration
- Operational example
- Operation Sindoor
- Venue
- Air Force Auditorium at Subroto Park
Quotes
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh
Outgoing Indian Air Force Chief
“I am happy that we are progressing in the right direction, but whether we are progressing at the correct pace, is something for everybody to judge. Yes, we can be a little faster than we are today.”
deccanchronicle.com
CNBC TV 18
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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