IAF adopts three-pronged strategy to defend air-space

Gandhinagar, Feb 11 (UNI) To defend Indian air-space and interests of the country, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has chalked out a three-pronged strategy, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major said here today.

Talking to mediapersons at the headquarters of the South-Western Air Command (SWAC), Air Chief Marshal Major said, that the force has evolved a three-pronged strategy -- acquisition of new equipment, upgradation of the existing system and improvement in servicing the present equipment to enhance their lives and services.'' Such a strategy is necessary in the face of monetary and other constraints, he said while emphasising that no country can always have enough modern equipment and, so, has to rely on upgrading the existing system.

''What is most important is that we have modern equipments with well maintained system operated by a skilled manpower. We are phasing out old equipment with inclusion of new,'' he said, adding that they were in an era of transformation as far as upgradation is concerned, and had a long-term plan for acquiring new weapon system.

''The IAF is gradually evolving as one of the finest Air Force in the world. Today we are the fourth largest Air Force in the world,'' the Air Chief pointed out.

Lauding his men, he said, ''We have one of the finest weapon systems, highly skilled people and they perform their task like true air warriors.'' UNI MP NM VD KN1901