IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh observed disturbed security environment in the neighbourhood with ‘‘increasing’ perilous’ militarisation in China and Pakistan. According to Singh at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, there is a cause for worry as activities along the northern and the western borders of India have amplified.
The recent exposure of two Chinese sixth-generation stealth fighter planes has caused some concern around the world. Pointing to this, Singh said, “It is not only the number; even the technology is increasing at a very higher rate.” Lan, however, pointed out that China is far ahead in developing its arsenal and has already placed Chengdu J-20 jets near the Indian borders; in addition, China has tested new forms of stealth fighters that India lacks, which is still developing its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) that has yet to make the first prototype, and is expected in four or five years time.
India’s issues regarding the production of LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Mark-1A and other indigenous fighter projects were also discussed. This has been due to slow delivery of GE-F404 jet engines from the US. Referring to the adversarial relationship between India and its potential rivals, Singh insisted on the faster rates of development.
In continuation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Singh spoke about the plans of the Indian Air Force for indigenisation to various business chambers. Some of these include the partnership with the MSMEs in order to manufacturing near 50000 parts for Air Force Base Repair Depots while the creation of the Directorate of Aerospace Design specializing on new technologies.
The programmes such as Mehar Baba-I and iDEX have been developed in order to foster defence innovation. The author remarked that risks, in research and development decisions, should be taken as delays erode India’s strategic objectives. “The adage that Technology delayed is Technology denied cannot be overemphasized,” he said, in support of self-reliance as it leads to achieving the country’s vision of being self-reliant and independent in matters concerning its security.
In Singh’s closing statement, he stressed on the increasing importance of the indigenous advancement which is important to Indian defense system.
