IAF Air Marshal stresses national defence, says Indian forces must rely on 'Aatmanirbharta'

Amid ongoing postponements in the delivery of Tejas MK1A multirole combat aircraft, Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force on Friday emphasized that "Atmanirbharta" (self-reliance) in defence cannot come at the expense of the nation's security and operational capabilities. He highlighted that while self-reliance is crucial, it must not compromise the readiness and effectiveness of the armed forces.

Air Marshal Singh underscored the importance of a balanced approach, where Indigenous capabilities are developed without undermining the quality and reliability of defence equipment. He called for a pragmatic strategy that ensures a robust and self-sufficient defence industry while maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness.

While speaking at an event, Air Marshal said that Nation's defence comes first and foremost and if Indian Air Force or Indian forces have to ride on this aatmaribharta, it is only possible if everyone - from DRDO, to DPSU, to the private industry holds the hand and takes us to that path and don't let us deviate from that path. Because when it comes to national defence, there will be compulsions to deviate from their path in case we do not get the things that we need or the kind of system and weaponry that is required to survive in today's world.”

#WATCH | Delhi: Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal AP Singh says, "...Aatmaribharta is what we are riding on...But this aatmaribharta cannot be at the cost of nation's defence. Nation's defence comes first and foremost and if Indian Air Force or Indian forces have to ride… pic.twitter.com/3ekvrAzgiX

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2024

Meanwhile, it is important to note that this has come after problems with GE's supply; the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was unable to begin the aircraft's delivery on time on March 31. The IAF squadron strength may suffer as a result of the retirement of the MiG-21. The authorized strength of 42 IAF squadrons has already been reduced to 32.

"Being self-reliant is the biggest lesson that we have learned from today's geopolitics," Air Marshal Singh emphasized. The speaker expressed his belief that "atmanirbharata" was more than just a catchphrase, and that all parties involved should dedicate their full attention to it. He further stated that weapons and technologies should be developed and produced in India, "so that we are not relying on an outside agency who could change its alliance or stop the flow of weapons to our country" when the time comes.