'Atmanirbharta' should not compromise national defence: Air Force vice chief

Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal A P Singh, emphasized on Friday that 'atmanirbharata' (self-reliance) is not merely a catchphrase but a crucial objective that all stakeholders must fully commit to.

However, he stressed that this pursuit of self-reliance should not compromise the nation's defence.

Addressing a seminar organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) in New Delhi, Air Marshal Singh asserted that the defence of the nation is paramount. He highlighted that defending a country is a collective responsibility, not just limited to those in uniform.

Pitching for self-reliance in defence, he acknowledged the role of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), private industries, and other entities in enhancing the armed forces' capabilities in areas such as radars and communications. He reiterated that technologies and weapons should be developed and manufactured within India to avoid dependence on foreign entities that could potentially change alliances or halt the supply of critical resources.

"The biggest lesson we've learned from current geopolitics is the importance of being self-reliant," he said, noting that international relations are driven by permanent interests rather than permanent friendships or enmities.

While advocating for greater 'atmanirbharta', he cautioned that it should not undermine the nation's defence. "The majority of our contracts are with Indian partners, but self-reliance cannot come at the cost of national defence," he stated. He called for unity and a faster pace in developing indigenous defence technologies.

Air Marshal Singh pointed out that the current rate of acquiring equipment is too slow, especially when compared to the rapid advancements of adversaries. He urged for a concerted effort to bridge this widening gap.

During the seminar, which included an exhibition on air and missile defence, several speakers discussed lessons from ongoing global conflicts. The Vice Chief highlighted the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example of integrated warfare across multiple domains, such as air, land, sea, cyber, information, and space, demonstrating the necessity of modernization and innovation in defence.

He also referenced the Israel-Hamas conflict to underscore the strategic importance of the air domain in modern warfare. "In today's dense battlespace, we must optimize and innovate the use of available resources while continually upgrading our systems," he added.

Looking ahead, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has operationalized a dedicated Weapon Systems Branch, with a sub-branch focused on surface-to-air guided weapons, ensuring readiness for future challenges.