New Delhi: The government is committed to the modernisation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and funds are not a problem to ensure that it remains at the forefront of technology, Defence Minister A K Antony said yesterday while stressing the need to observe austerity measures.
“Procurement and acquisitions span the entire spectrum of the capabilities of the IAF, including fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters and modernisation of the air defence network. Net centricity, cyber security and ensuring the requisite communication bandwidth for seamless operations too are a part of capacity-building to ensure that the IAF remains at the forefront of technology,” Antony said while inaugurating the Air Force Commanders’ Conference here.
The theme of the conference was “Enhancement of Operational Infrastructure and Security”.
Antony also stressed the need to strictly observe austerity measures while noting availability of funds would never be an issue.
Efforts must be made to cut down expenditure on non-core activities and avoidable ceremonial formalities. At the same time, I am sure all of you appreciate the need for indigenisation and move towards self-reliance in defence production. We must minimise the over-reliance of our armed forces in general and the IAF in particular on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for procurement of major aircraft and equipment,” he said.
Antony added that the long gestation periods of acquisitions, induction and operationalisation of these systems require that the IAF upgrades its systems to retain and strengthen its capabilities.
IANS
