Speaking at the Subroto Mukerjee Seminar, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the decisive role of air power and the need for military preparedness alongside economic growth
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday said military strength remains essential to protecting national sovereignty, stressing that economic power alone cannot ensure a country’s security.
According to a MoneyControl report, speaking at the 22nd Subroto Mukerjee Seminar, Singh highlighted the increasing importance of air power in modern warfare, noting that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver swift and decisive outcomes.
He said the force is capable of striking multiple targets in Pakistan within a matter of hours.
Citing recent global and domestic conflicts, the Air Chief said air power has emerged as the most effective means of achieving strategic objectives.
“What is happening around the world and what has happened in India… which part of military power has come in handy… which has delivered what was required to be delivered… I think I don’t have to name it – it is the air power, and it becomes very important that we focus our attention on this part of the military if we want a force to reckon with,” the IAF chief was quoted as saying.
He cited a range of operations to demonstrate the impact of air power, from humanitarian evacuations to offensive military strikes.
“Whether it is getting people out of conflict zones, like we did in Sudan or whether it is giving a blow to the terrorist infrastructure and their perpetrators or whether it is attacking multiple bases in Pakistan in a matter of a few hours to send a signal that enough is enough and bring them to their knees. It was air power that did the trick, and that has to be remembered,” he said.
The Air Chief cautioned against viewing economic growth as a substitute for military preparedness, drawing on historical and contemporary examples to underline his point.
“We must understand that military power stands as the ultimate arbiter of national power. Anybody can be economically sound but can’t be secure. We have the example of our own country, we plus China controlled 60% of worlds GDP at one time, but that didn’t stop us from getting captured and colonised… Venezuela and Iraq are the most recent examples. It is the military power which is important, but what is more important is the will to use that military power,” Singh said.
He added that India’s security challenges are often shaped by developments in its neighbourhood, at times forcing reactive decisions.
Emphasising the need for preparedness, Singh called for faster decision-making on ‘Make in India’ initiatives and stronger strategic partnerships for next-generation engines and weapon systems to enhance self-reliance.
With inputs from agencies
End of Article
