National power takes you nowhere without military strength: IAF chief
Citing examples of Venezuela and Iraq, Air Chief Marshall AP Singh says military power remains the arbiter of national power
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday cited the example of Venezuela and Iraq being hit by the US to argue that military power is the arbiter of national power.
“Military power stands as the ultimate arbiter of national power. All instruments of national power will take you nowhere if you do not have a strong military,” the IAF chief said while addressing the Subroto Mukherjee Seminar here.
He also cited the rapidly changing global scenario and argued, “Anybody can be economically strong, but cannot be secure”.
The whole idea is to use comprehensive national power in a manner so as to impose your will over other nations, while ensuring that no other nation is able to impose its will on you, the IAF chief said.
While military power was important, he said the will to use it mattered equally.
“Unless you have that will, restraint will be seen as weakness. It is only when you are strong enough and show restraint that it is seen as capability,” he added.
In a reference to lack of cutting-edge technology in India, the IAF chief suggested that as nation we need to have a strategic partnership for the development of next-generation platforms.
“We need to catch up with the technology. Maybe we can do it alone, but it will take longer,” he said.
He cited the example of strategic tie-ups in aero-engine manufacturing, an apparent reference to the tie-up of French engine maker Safran with public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
On military preparedness, the IAF chief said we need to manage our immediate requirements.
“We must realize what we need today and in the next 10 years and focus more on immediate requirements,” he added.
