New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the importance of adapting to new challenges during his speech at the Indian Air Force (IAF) commanders’ conference on Tuesday. He highlighted the need for the armed forces to improve their efficiency in building capabilities and capacities to meet both immediate operational needs and long-term strategic goals.
Singh urged the military to prioritize completing projects on time and to leverage resources better by promoting cooperation among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This approach is seen as crucial as the military prepares for the formation of tri-Service theatre commands, aimed at enhancing integrated warfare capabilities while being cost-effective.
During the conference, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and other top officials provided updates on the IAF’s operational readiness, which remains high along the extensive 3,488-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The IAF is actively deployed with various aircraft, helicopters, missile systems, and radar installations in this sensitive region.
Looking ahead, Singh is set to meet with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun during the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane from November 20-22. This meeting comes on the heels of recent disengagement between Indian and Chinese troops at two remaining face-off points in eastern Ladakh, allowing both sides to resume coordinated patrols in the area.
However, the path to achieving India’s goal of a complete de-escalation—specifically regarding the over 50,000 Chinese troops stationed in eastern Ladakh, with an additional 90,000 in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh—remains challenging.
In a related development, the Indian armed forces have just wrapped up a significant military exercise named ‘Poorvi Prahar’, which involved an array of advanced aircraft, helicopters, artillery like the M-777 ultra-light howitzers, and specialized troop units. This exercise showcases the military’s readiness and operational capabilities in the eastern theatre.
