'National security and devp should go together'

Bhuj, Feb 15: President A P J Abdul Kalam today said national security is born out of two important components - economic growth and prosperity and the capability to defend the nation against all types of threats.

Addressing airmen at a President's standard Award function for IAF's No 37 and 48 Squadrons held at the Air Force Base here, he said India was progressing well on both the aspects in which defence forces had a major role to play.

He said national development and national security have to go together and defence forces should set an example and become a partner in all the national development missions.

Regarding future warfare, he remarked that Indian Air Force Squadrons should equip themselves for a technology driven warfare.

The whole war environment could be electronically controlled, combined with space encounters and ballistic missiles.

Dr Kalam told the airmen that the nation was proud of them in appreciation of their services and and said he was delighted to present the ''President Standards'' to 37 and 48 squadrons. He exhorted them to maintain the best traditions of their squadrons. On the occasion, the President greeted the officers and other ranks of both squadrons for the yeoman service rendered by them while safeguarding the security of the nation. ''Every time I visit an air force station, I can see the integrated capacity of the air force to defend the nation through the use of technology'', he said.

The President said he visited all the MIG squadrons of the air force with his team as Chairman of Committee on Fighter Aircraft Accidents (COFAA) and many of the recommendations have been implemented. He said his career itself started with Aircraft and Armament testing unit when he joined the Defence organisation.

UNI