Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a technologically advanced, operationally agile, strategically confident and future-oriented force. Addressing the Air Force Commanders’ Conclave in New Delhi on Thursday, the defence minister hailed the courage, speed and precision with which the IAF destroyed the terror camps during Operation Sindoor, and how the force effectively handled the “irresponsible reaction” from Pakistan after the strikes.
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“Usually, when the enemy attacks, people hide. But when the Pakistani forces tried to target Indian installations, the people of India remained calm and continued with their daily routines. This is the proof of the trust of every Indian in our operational preparedness,” he said, while underscoring the trust people of India place in the armed forces.
The defence minister highlighted the importance of understanding the enemy’s offensive and defensive capabilities to maintain a decisive advantage and asked the IAF Commanders to take lessons from Operation Sindoor and stay vigilant and ready to deal with every future challenge.
Singh noted that in the ever-evolving warfare scenarios of today, air power has emerged as a decisive force and said, “Air power gives any leadership the capability to deliver a clear strategic message to the adversary that every step will be taken to uphold national interests. Through speed, reach, and precision, air power has become an effective tool for aligning the nation’s objectives with military means."
Further, he said the warfare today is not just about a war of capabilities, and added, "It is a war of ideas, technology, and adaptability. Cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite-based surveillance, and space-enabled capabilities are fundamentally changing the future of warfare."
Precision-guided weapons, real-time intelligence, and data-driven decision-making are no longer optional, but basic requirements for success in modern conflicts, the defence minister noted, adding, "Those nations which master the trinity of technology, strategic vision, and adaptability will move towards global leadership."
He also highlighted the importance of jointness and Tri-service synergy and said, "Jointness among the three Services is crucial as it would further strengthen our security system, and enable us to deal with our adversaries even more effectively.”
