IAF: Can't be left behind, must reassess priorities

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, June 24

Coercion is the latest strategy with cyberwar, information war and space domains becoming the new battlefields, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Friday, asking for a reassessment of strategic priorities to ensure that the IAF was not “left behind”. The IAF Chief was speaking at the “Capstone” seminar here to mark the culmination of the first Warfare and Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP). The seminar was conducted by the College of Air Warfare and the Centre for Air Power Studies.

3,800 register for IAF under Agnipath

• The IAF on Friday started the registration process for recruitment under the Agnipath scheme. Some 3,800 persons got registered on the first day.
• The Navy will begin the online registration from July 1 while the Army will issue a notification to conduct 83 recruitment rallies from August to November.

Diplomacy, economy and information are becoming the primary tools of engagement with military being used as a deterrent, the IAF Chief said. This must drive the strategic thought and direction of our future endeavours. He asked the forces to nurture middle-level officers to gain knowledge and contribute to building sound operational plans for the IAF.

At the same time, a research-based thought process, detailed analysis and well-structured arguments backed with logic must form the backbone of IAF’s problem-solving drive. Such an approach could provide solutions to many day-to-day issues and help formulate better policies and doctrines.

“Our focus should be on critical thinking and strategy while developing a deeper understanding of the art and science of fighting war,” the IAF Chief told an audience comprising senior officers from all three Services, experts and academia from principal think tanks and premier colleges of the country.