ROLE OF THE IAF IN NATION BUILDING

IAF's global reach to ensure India's ability to conduct defence diplomacy and humanitarian operations, highlight its crucial role in safeguarding and supporting the nation way beyond the traditional military functions.

- AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD)

INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF) HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE ITS inception over 91 years back. The fourth largest air force is not only driven by hard combat power and global reach, but has massive soft power. It fully supports India's economic growth and global aspirations. IAF is the first mover in all Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts within the country and the region and beyond.

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AREA OF GLOBAL ACTION

The aerospace industry accounts for nearly 40 per cent of global military expenditure which is currently around $2.24 trillion. Indian military already is a major global aerospace market. India has a booming commercial aviation market too. Aviation technologies are always the leading cutting edge, and often game-changing, and have deterrent capabilities. These require investments in research and development. Also, obsolescence sets in faster. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) and private industry have seen rising technological and manufacturing capabilities. Aerial technologies have many civil offshoots.

India has clear advantage of higher skills and lower costs of production. The present government’s ‘Atamnirbharta’ push supports the ‘Make in India’. Time is ripe for mastering new technologies and boosting domestic defence production. Artificial intelligence (AI) and Information Technology will support the process. IAF fully supports “Atmanirbharta” in aerospace technologies and production. For India to sit on the global high table, it must master some of these. India must become self-sufficient in defence and aerospace. India must also take-on civil aircraft repairs and overhaul for itself and the region. IAF fully supports this important part of national building.

IAF SUPPORTS INDIAN MILITARY AVIATION PROJECTS