News Analysis India

Tag: VR Chaudhari

  • IAF must be one of best, if not best when it completes 100 years in 2032: Air Chief Marshal

    By PTI

    PRAYAGRAJ: The Indian Air Force must remain ever vigilant in the face of “new and emerging threats”, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Sunday even as he asserted that the IAF will continue to protect the nation’s territory and deter potential adversaries, in comments that came amid the eastern Ladakh border row.

    In the current complex and dynamic strategic environment, refining the IAF’s strategy, building robust capabilities and developing a flexible mindset to “prosecute future wars” will prove decisive, the Chief of Air Staff said.

    In an address to air warriors on the occasion of Air Force Day, he said joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the “sine-qua-non” of future wars and added, “we must reform, or become a relic; we must innovate, else become mundane and we must transform, else become irrelevant.”

    “If India is on the path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, then the IAF must be one of the best, if not the best, by the time we complete 100 years in 2032,” he said, highlighting the importance of air power in the changing global security matrix.

    The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932.

    The IAF Chief said, “We need to understand the nuances of evolving air power, setting the pace to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars.”

    “First and foremost, I would like to urge you to strive for excellence in everything you do. This is non-negotiable,” he asserted.

    The Air Chief Marshal also batted for “candidly” assessing the IAF and address any inhibitions to change. “The force structure that we need to develop must be future-ready. Joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the sine-qua-non of future wars,” he said.

    Without referring to specifics, the IAF Chief, talking about the last year, said the force has not only “circumvented” challenges but turned them into opportunities, adding the current geopolitical landscape has provided it an opportunity to reduce dependency on imports by developing indigenous capability.

    “In this complex and dynamic strategic environment, refining our strategy, building robust all-round capabilities and more importantly, developing a flexible mindset to prosecute future wars will prove decisive,” he said.

    “In our quest for becoming an air and space force, we must recognise the importance of the space domain and continue developing our space capabilities,” he said.

    The Air Chief Marshal also highlighted the need for the IAF to become an “agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests.”

    “The world is changing at a rapid pace and we must meet all new challenges coming our way. We must continue to foster a culture of discipline, integrity and remain ever vigilant in the face of emerging threats,” he said.

    “Our commitment to the defence of our nation remains steadfast and we will continue to protect our territory, deter potential adversaries and ensure the safety and security of our people,” he added.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF is not just a military force but also a symbol of India’s collective strength and determination. “The last year had brought its fair share of challenges our way. I am happy to note that the IAF has performed exceedingly well and passed every test with flying colours,” he said.

    On the IAF’s vision as laid down in its doctrine, the Air Chief Marshal said it is to be “an agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests.”

    “From multi-domain operations to hybrid warfare, the air force needs to recognise that modern warfare transcends traditional boundaries. We must seamlessly integrate air, space, cyber and ground capabilities to dominate the battle space,” he said.

    “The question we must ask ourselves is, ‘what more can I do’? Do not limit yourselves to the needs of today. Think beyond today and you will realise that there is so much more to be done,” he said.

    The IAF Chief said innovation must become a part of IAF’s DNA, enabling it to easily adapt to emerging threats and challenges.

    “There is a need for us to candidly assess ourselves and address any inhibitions to change. The force structure that we need to develop must be future-ready. Joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the sine-qua-non of future wars,” he said.

    “Developing unique tactics, carrying out realistic training and incorporating relevant lessons learnt will go a long way,” he added.

    On Angiveers, the Chief of Air Staff said, “We have successfully inducted the first batch of Agniveers and subsequent batches, including women Agniveers, are presently undergoing basic training.”

    The rigour of training has been increased across the board for all training curriculums with more emphasis on self-learning and self-education, he noted.

    Detailing the exercises carried out by the IAF, he said, “In this year alone, the IAF has carried out eight exercises across the globe with friendly foreign countries and performed exceptionally well.”

    “For the first time, our indigenously built LCAs (light combat aircraft) have participated in an overseas exercise, showcasing our professional acumen and enhancing our stature as a potent Air Force. IAF carried out extensive operations in Turkiye, Sudan and Syria airlifting critical supplies and rescuing stranded Indian nationals. As first responders, we have always maintained a high state of alert and taken on all emerging situations,” he said.

    The Air Force Day parade was held in Prayagraj.

    The parade was traditionally held at the Hindon airbase near Delhi till 2021 before the event was taken outside the national capital. It was held in Chandigarh last year.

    PRAYAGRAJ: The Indian Air Force must remain ever vigilant in the face of “new and emerging threats”, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Sunday even as he asserted that the IAF will continue to protect the nation’s territory and deter potential adversaries, in comments that came amid the eastern Ladakh border row.

    In the current complex and dynamic strategic environment, refining the IAF’s strategy, building robust capabilities and developing a flexible mindset to “prosecute future wars” will prove decisive, the Chief of Air Staff said.

    In an address to air warriors on the occasion of Air Force Day, he said joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the “sine-qua-non” of future wars and added, “we must reform, or become a relic; we must innovate, else become mundane and we must transform, else become irrelevant.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “If India is on the path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, then the IAF must be one of the best, if not the best, by the time we complete 100 years in 2032,” he said, highlighting the importance of air power in the changing global security matrix.

    The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932.

    The IAF Chief said, “We need to understand the nuances of evolving air power, setting the pace to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars.”

    “First and foremost, I would like to urge you to strive for excellence in everything you do. This is non-negotiable,” he asserted.

    The Air Chief Marshal also batted for “candidly” assessing the IAF and address any inhibitions to change. “The force structure that we need to develop must be future-ready. Joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the sine-qua-non of future wars,” he said.

    Without referring to specifics, the IAF Chief, talking about the last year, said the force has not only “circumvented” challenges but turned them into opportunities, adding the current geopolitical landscape has provided it an opportunity to reduce dependency on imports by developing indigenous capability.

    “In this complex and dynamic strategic environment, refining our strategy, building robust all-round capabilities and more importantly, developing a flexible mindset to prosecute future wars will prove decisive,” he said.

    “In our quest for becoming an air and space force, we must recognise the importance of the space domain and continue developing our space capabilities,” he said.

    The Air Chief Marshal also highlighted the need for the IAF to become an “agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests.”

    “The world is changing at a rapid pace and we must meet all new challenges coming our way. We must continue to foster a culture of discipline, integrity and remain ever vigilant in the face of emerging threats,” he said.

    “Our commitment to the defence of our nation remains steadfast and we will continue to protect our territory, deter potential adversaries and ensure the safety and security of our people,” he added.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF is not just a military force but also a symbol of India’s collective strength and determination. “The last year had brought its fair share of challenges our way. I am happy to note that the IAF has performed exceedingly well and passed every test with flying colours,” he said.

    On the IAF’s vision as laid down in its doctrine, the Air Chief Marshal said it is to be “an agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests.”

    “From multi-domain operations to hybrid warfare, the air force needs to recognise that modern warfare transcends traditional boundaries. We must seamlessly integrate air, space, cyber and ground capabilities to dominate the battle space,” he said.

    “The question we must ask ourselves is, ‘what more can I do’? Do not limit yourselves to the needs of today. Think beyond today and you will realise that there is so much more to be done,” he said.

    The IAF Chief said innovation must become a part of IAF’s DNA, enabling it to easily adapt to emerging threats and challenges.

    “There is a need for us to candidly assess ourselves and address any inhibitions to change. The force structure that we need to develop must be future-ready. Joint planning and integrated application of combat power will be the sine-qua-non of future wars,” he said.

    “Developing unique tactics, carrying out realistic training and incorporating relevant lessons learnt will go a long way,” he added.

    On Angiveers, the Chief of Air Staff said, “We have successfully inducted the first batch of Agniveers and subsequent batches, including women Agniveers, are presently undergoing basic training.”

    The rigour of training has been increased across the board for all training curriculums with more emphasis on self-learning and self-education, he noted.

    Detailing the exercises carried out by the IAF, he said, “In this year alone, the IAF has carried out eight exercises across the globe with friendly foreign countries and performed exceptionally well.”

    “For the first time, our indigenously built LCAs (light combat aircraft) have participated in an overseas exercise, showcasing our professional acumen and enhancing our stature as a potent Air Force. IAF carried out extensive operations in Turkiye, Sudan and Syria airlifting critical supplies and rescuing stranded Indian nationals. As first responders, we have always maintained a high state of alert and taken on all emerging situations,” he said.

    The Air Force Day parade was held in Prayagraj.

    The parade was traditionally held at the Hindon airbase near Delhi till 2021 before the event was taken outside the national capital. It was held in Chandigarh last year.

  • Balakot ops showed effectiveness of air power even in ‘no war, no peace’ scenario: IAF chief

    The Chief of Air Staff said air power has become an option of choice due to “inherent flexibility” and “unmatched” precision strike capability. NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday highlighted the critical importance of India’s air power considering the nature of its adversaries and said the Balakot operations of 2019 demonstrated its effectiveness even in a ‘no war, no peace’ scenario and under a “nuclear overhang.”

    The Chief of Air Staff said air power has become an option of choice due to “inherent flexibility” and “unmatched” precision strike capability.

    “Operations like Balakot have also demonstrated that given the political will, aerospace power can be effectively used in a no war, no peace scenario, under a nuclear overhang without escalating into a full-blown conflict,” he said.

    “This is very important given the nature of our adversaries. The response options available to the leadership have suddenly increased and increasingly, air power has become an option of choice due to inherent flexibility and unmatched precision strike capability,” he said.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was speaking at a seminar on ‘Aerospace Power: Pivot to Future Battlespace Operations’.

    India’s warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed.

    “India’s security concerns necessitate that it puts in place adequate military power that has the ability to achieve deterrence, ensure information dominance, coerce when needed and provide multiple response options,” Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said.

    “Attributes of aerospace power enable the leadership to formulate an appropriate strategy with due cognizance given to the desired end state, conflict termination criteria and escalation matrix,” he said.

    The IAF chief said that considering the advantages that aerospace power offers, it will become a crucial factor in future battlespace operations. To be able to control the airspace across domains will prove vital in the future and in order to achieve that, he said.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said there is a need to harness technology including the CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductors) sensors, Artificial Intelligence enabled decision support matrix and manned-unmanned teaming. He said next-generation fighter aircraft will prove to be a deciding factor when fighting “tomorrow’s wars.”

    “One aspect that deserves a special mention is the humans in the chain. Any amount of automation will not be effective unless we have well-trained, situationally-aware and technologically sound professionals handling our systems,” the IAF Chief said.

    “To see first and see clearly, to reach first and reach farthest and to strike first and strike with precision will be the mantra for fighting modern wars,” he added.

    The Air Chief Marshal said battlespace transparency, enhanced rapid mobility and pinpoint precision capability will be the key to success and India’s capability development plans must address these issues.

    “If the world is increasingly becoming volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, it is high time that we develop counters,” he said.

    “We must evolve to counter the volatile with stability and calmness that comes from good strategy formulation and training in an environment of denial,” he said.

  • ‘Critical deficiencies’ must be addressed to retain our combat edge: IAF Chief

    Express News Service

    The head of the Indian Air Force on Thursday impressed upon the “critical deficiencies” of the force which need to be addressed to retain the combat edge. This statement holds significance as the force is grappling with dwindled combat fighters and the associated force multipliers. The Air Chief also touched upon the “great power politics in play” of the Indo-Pacific and stated that this will have repercussions.

    Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, “There are certain critical deficiencies like shortage of fighter squadrons and force multipliers which must be addressed on priority to retain our combat edge.”

    The IAF operates nearly 30 Combat Squadrons in place of the sanctioned 42 Combat squadrons.

    From an airpower perspective, IAF will be expected to contribute across the full spectrum of conflict. Airpower has the capability to deter, defend and if required punish the adversary in a conflict, he added.

    The Air Chief was giving the inaugural address at the 19th Subroto Mukherjee seminar organized by the IAF think tank Centre for Air Power Studies. Chief was speaking on “India’s eminence in the emerging world order.”

    “The Indian Air Force needs to evolve into an aerospace power and to do so, there is a need to develop the capability to fight and win tomorrow’s wars. Multi-domain operations and hybrid warfare are here to stay and we must, therefore, realign and reform to keep pace with technology to remain relevant.”

    Looking at the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, “we see great power politics in play where an established superpower is increasingly being challenged by an established regional power with global ambitions. The outcome of this great power competition will have repercussions for all major players in the region.” said ACM Chaudhari.

    Expounding on the emerging world order Chief said that a rising China and a resurgent Russia are seen as the biggest challenges to American dominance and he also brought out the shifting of the economic centre of gravity from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific, to which India and China are significant contributors.

    As per the Air Chief, “the window of demographic dividend opportunity available from 2005-06 to 2055-56 is longer than any other country in the world. This bulge in the working age population will not last long and must be exploited.”

    “Our neighbourhood continues to remain volatile and uncertain. Amidst this volatility, we must enhance our collective strength by partnering with nations which share common beliefs and values. We must use our image as a stable country with considerable economic heft to forge mutually beneficial relationships and strategic partnerships. It is essential that we retain our strategic autonomy, and to do that, in my opinion, a strategy of balancing would be the way forward,” the chief said.

    There are many things that are going India’s way. “Our economic progress, military might, political stability and diplomatic deftness has put us at the centre stage and announced to the world that India has arrived.”

    The head of the Indian Air Force on Thursday impressed upon the “critical deficiencies” of the force which need to be addressed to retain the combat edge. This statement holds significance as the force is grappling with dwindled combat fighters and the associated force multipliers. The Air Chief also touched upon the “great power politics in play” of the Indo-Pacific and stated that this will have repercussions.

    Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, “There are certain critical deficiencies like shortage of fighter squadrons and force multipliers which must be addressed on priority to retain our combat edge.”

    The IAF operates nearly 30 Combat Squadrons in place of the sanctioned 42 Combat squadrons.

    From an airpower perspective, IAF will be expected to contribute across the full spectrum of conflict. Airpower has the capability to deter, defend and if required punish the adversary in a conflict, he added.

    The Air Chief was giving the inaugural address at the 19th Subroto Mukherjee seminar organized by the IAF think tank Centre for Air Power Studies. Chief was speaking on “India’s eminence in the emerging world order.”

    “The Indian Air Force needs to evolve into an aerospace power and to do so, there is a need to develop the capability to fight and win tomorrow’s wars. Multi-domain operations and hybrid warfare are here to stay and we must, therefore, realign and reform to keep pace with technology to remain relevant.”

    Looking at the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, “we see great power politics in play where an established superpower is increasingly being challenged by an established regional power with global ambitions. The outcome of this great power competition will have repercussions for all major players in the region.” said ACM Chaudhari.

    Expounding on the emerging world order Chief said that a rising China and a resurgent Russia are seen as the biggest challenges to American dominance and he also brought out the shifting of the economic centre of gravity from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific, to which India and China are significant contributors.

    As per the Air Chief, “the window of demographic dividend opportunity available from 2005-06 to 2055-56 is longer than any other country in the world. This bulge in the working age population will not last long and must be exploited.”

    “Our neighbourhood continues to remain volatile and uncertain. Amidst this volatility, we must enhance our collective strength by partnering with nations which share common beliefs and values. We must use our image as a stable country with considerable economic heft to forge mutually beneficial relationships and strategic partnerships. It is essential that we retain our strategic autonomy, and to do that, in my opinion, a strategy of balancing would be the way forward,” the chief said.

    There are many things that are going India’s way. “Our economic progress, military might, political stability and diplomatic deftness has put us at the centre stage and announced to the world that India has arrived.”

  • Return to status quo ante needed for situation to become normal in Eastern Ladakh: IAF chief

    “All preparedness in terms of infrastructure building, equipment, training and tactics is a continuous effort, irrespective of whether we see any belligerence on the part of the Chinese or not,” he ad

  • Appropriate measures put in place to deal with Chinese activities along LAC: IAF chief 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate “non-escalatory” measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

    Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including “worst-case scenario” and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation.

    “We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant,” he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC.

    When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country.

    Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chinese belligerence, he said.

    To a question, he said the benchmark for the situation to return to normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante and completion of disengagement in all friction points.

    Referring to the ambitious theaterisation plan, the Air Chief Marshal said the IAF understands imperatives of joint planning and execution with sister forces for future wars.

    We are not opposed to tri-services integration; our reservations are relating to only certain structures, he said.

    The chief of Air Staff also said that the IAF is in sync with the government on self-reliance in defence production.

    NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate “non-escalatory” measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

    Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge.

    Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including “worst-case scenario” and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation.

    “We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant,” he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC.

    When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country.

    Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chinese belligerence, he said.

    To a question, he said the benchmark for the situation to return to normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante and completion of disengagement in all friction points.

    Referring to the ambitious theaterisation plan, the Air Chief Marshal said the IAF understands imperatives of joint planning and execution with sister forces for future wars.

    We are not opposed to tri-services integration; our reservations are relating to only certain structures, he said.

    The chief of Air Staff also said that the IAF is in sync with the government on self-reliance in defence production.

  • Russia-Ukraine conflict first true instance of hybrid warfare, has a lot of lessons: IAF Chief

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The world is witnessing the first instance of ‘hybrid warfare’ in the real sense, which has a lot of lessons for India, said Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari on Tuesday.

    “This is the first time we are witnessing the unfolding of truly hybrid warfare. The ongoing (Russia-Ukraine) conflict is a reflection of complete multi-domain operations that are taking place,” he said.

    “We are witnessing the use of drones, hypersonic weapons, aircraft of all sizes and types and ground forces all working in unison against the backdrop of economic sanctions and diplomatic heft,” the Air Chief added while delivering the keynote address at the All India Management Association’s National Leadership Conclave on “The Future of Air Warfare: Securing the Skies and Beyond”.

    “Future warfare is likely to be hybrid in nature and the spectrum of conflict will be spread across all domains spanning from conventional to sub-conventional, kinetic to non-kinetic and lethal to non-lethal, all under a nuclear overhang,” he said.

    All this leads to “a need for us to develop capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict and focus on multi-domain operations. Similarly, our doctrines, equipment, training and tactics will have to be flexible and able to adapt rapidly to these new challenges.”

    So, there is a lot to learn from this, the Air Chief pointed out. “Primarily what it amounts to is to be able to re-imagine, to reinvent, to be able to rededicate and retrain ourselves for future conflicts,” said the Air Chief.

    “Traditionally, wars have been fought on land, at sea, in the air and to some extent, in space. In the past two decades, this spectrum has increased to encompass cyber and information domains,” he noted.

    The first four domains are classically physical and the other two are virtual. The overarching effect of cyber and information on the conduct of conventional wars has created a new, hybrid and multi domain spectrum of conflict resulting in older tactics and strategies becoming passé.  “Therefore, there is a definite imperative to reimagine, reform, redesign and rebuild our traditional war fighting machinery and adapt to this new emerging paradigm,” he said.

    As we become more and more interconnected, a cyber-attack on our networks can cripple command and control structures, he said, noting that in the next war, the enemy might not be a country or an organisation. “We may never know the perpetrators of a Distributed Denial of Services attack and we will not know when and from where the attack will take place. In the future, we could be attacked on all fronts, ranging from economic strangulation to diplomatic isolation and military standoffs to information black outs in the form of attacks by Distributed Denial of Services. All this will happen well before the first bullet is fired or the first aircraft goes across the border,” he said.  

    “Conflicts in the last few decades have clearly established without doubt, the pre-eminence of air power as the instrument of choice for almost all operational contingencies,” underlined Chaudhari.

    The tactical advantage that ‘high ground’ offers is a must-achieve criteria even today. In this aspect, air power provides that high ground and ability to bypass the fielded forces to hit targets in great depths with speed and precision, he said.

    Underlining the imperative of indigenisation, he said, “We are hugely cognizant of the fact that no nation can be truly sovereign without meeting its basic needs from indigenous sources,” adding that this applies greatly to the defence needs.

    “We need to focus more on research and development with an aim to manufacture on our own rather than relying on minor indigenisation of foreign products,” the Air Chief said.