Areospace power, an index of national power: IAF Chief

Thiruvananthapuram, May 15 (UNI) IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal F H Major today said the aerospace power was an increasingly vital part of military strength and an important index of national power.

Inaugurating the seminar on Aerospace Power in India's Strategy' at the Southern Air Command HQs, here, he said the country required aerospace power in all its capabilities since it was futuristic and increasingly utilitarian.

Aerospace power was premised on cutting edge technologies and it enabled effect-based operations and created strategic effects, the Air Chief said.

Terming aerospace power as an instrument of choice, he underlined the fact that the recent developments had endowed aerospace power with accuracy and precision, making it astonishingly reliable, clean and effective.

''Indian Air Force is among leading air forces in world today and can, with the right infusion of technologies and training, achieve such results,'' ACM Major said. While providing a broad perspective on geo-political situation and security environment, he said the country needs national power to back her increasing strategic interests.

Southern Air Command's Air Marshal Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Y R Rane, in his valedictory address, emphasised the IAF vision to acquire 'Strategic Reach' would require Southern Air Command to play a major role.

''Strategic Reach, once achieved, would greatly enhance the effectiveness of this Command in its operational role,'' he added.

Air Marshal Rane also stressed the importance of real time networking among the forces deployed far out and away from the mainland. ''Having realised the geo-strategic importance of the southern region, there is no option but to develop Southern Air Command into a potent Operational Air Command'', he said.

During the one-day seminar organised by Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), an interactive discussion on crucial defence related issues like 'Emerging strategic environment', Regional security dimensions' and 'Challenges from Pakistan' were deliberated. The seminar also focused on military history, trends and developments in Aerospace Power in India's defence and security.

UNI