IAF: Political will manifested in Balakot

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari said on Wednesday that Balakot air strike has shown that given political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines, under a nuclear overhang without escalating into a fullblown conflict.

“Balakot like operations have shown that, given the political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines, in a no-war, no-peace scenario, under a nuclear overhang without escalating into a fullblown conflict,” said Chaudhari, at the 15th Jumbo Majumdar International Seminar organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies.

Chief noted that he is aware that there are many discussions being held on the relevance of manned aircraft in the future. “In my opinion, reliance solely on unmanned aircraft is a little farfetched. The next step in development of air power would be man and unmanned teaming,” he said. He said that another myth that needs to be broken is sustainability of a small number of modern aircraft. “A small fleet would have its own share of maintenance challenges negatively affecting aircraft readiness and thus the availability of the platforms for operations,” said chief.

Indian Army’s top commanders will review and assess the overall security situation during Army Commanders’ Conference which will start on Thursday. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will also address and interact with senior military leadership during the conference on April 2.

Army Commanders’

Conference, first for year 2024 will be organised in hybrid mode. The conference will be held in virtual mode on 28th March and physical mode in New Delhi on April 1 and 2. The meet is being held when India-china military stand-off in Ladakh will enter fifth year in May, with both armies continue to place a large number of troops and heavy weapons at the forward positions along the LAC.