'Indian Air Force is always alert, committed, ready to meet any contingency': On IAF Day, Air Chief highlights op readiness of the force

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Thursday asserted that the IAF remains alert, committed and prepared to respond to any contingency, highlighting the force's operational readiness amid growing geopolitical uncertainties and emerging conflicts across the world.

Addressing the 94th Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Air Base of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said the rapidly changing global security environment has reinforced the importance of air power in protecting national interests.

“Today, the world is going through rapid changes, leading to uncertainty and intricate geopolitical challenges. New conflicts are emerging across different parts of the world,” he said.

The IAF chief said these developments have demonstrated that air power is a primary means of safeguarding national interests and that the Indian Air Force fully understands its responsibilities.

“The Indian Air Force, being the custodian of air power, understands its role and responsibilities, and is always alert, committed, and ready to meet any contingency,” Singh said.

He stressed that the true strength of an air force lies not merely in the sophistication of its aircraft or weapons systems, but in its ability to respond swiftly and confidently when required.

“We believe that any Air Force can have the most advanced aircraft in the world or the most advanced systems in the world, but its true strength is measured by its operational preparedness. That is, how quickly and confidently it can act whenever the call comes,” he said.

Recalling Operation Sindoor, Singh said the military operation demonstrated the speed at which the IAF could move into combat operations, alongside its destructive capabilities and effective air defence operations.

“Last year, the whole world witnessed the speed with which the Indian Air Force moved into combat operations. We saw firsthand the destructive power as well as the effective air defense operations of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor,” he said.

The Air Chief Marshal said the force's motto, “Infallible, Impervious and Precise”, was more than a tagline.

“It is the manifestation of our strength and resolve,” he asserted.

Singh also expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the IAF in strengthening its operational capabilities and preparedness.

“I am pleased to state that our operational capability and readiness are moving in the right direction,” he said.

He noted that a culture of ownership and accountability was becoming stronger across the force, while commanders were encouraging effective decision-making by delegating responsibilities and nurturing leadership qualities among air warriors.

The IAF chief emphasised that personnel, rather than equipment and technology alone, remain the foundation of the force's operational effectiveness.

“Equipment, technology, and platforms are merely tools; the true source of our success lies in our Air Warriors,” he said.

Calling upon personnel to uphold the core values of the defence services, Singh urged every air warrior to take pride in their responsibilities and ensure that they never become a weak link in the organisation.

He also highlighted the IAF's transformation from a force that began with four Wapiti aircraft into a capable, network-centric and multi-domain force.

“From four Wapiti aircraft, the force has evolved into an exceptional, capable, network-centric and multi-domain force ranked among the finest in the world,” Singh said.