IT Correspondent
Mumbai, April 7:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, inaugurated the Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) based on the theme ‘Optimising human resources’ at Air Headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The conference was attended by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, along with senior commanders of the Indian Air Force, an official statement said.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that the topics being discussed in AFCC were relevant and contemporary in the-present context, and covered the entire canvas of issues/ challenges that are being faced by the Nation.
Singh said that he was happy to observe that the directions given by higher authorities were comprehensively being discussed in the conference and would be the guiding light for all future courses of action. He also referred to the challenges being faced in the Northern and Western borders and expressed satisfaction with the way Indian Armed Forces have been responding to emerging situations.
He praised the Indian Air Force’s evacuation effort in Operation Ganga, an operation to evacuate the Indian citizens amidst the recent Russian-Ukraine strife. The current geopolitical situation has again highlighted the need for indigenization, he added.
On the occasion Singh launched the “Mehar Baba Competition-II”, aimed at developing technology for a “Swarm Drone-based system to detect Foreign Objects on Aircraft Operating Surfaces”. This technology seeks to provide a boost to the growing indigenous drone industry.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, in his address asked the commanders to be ready to meet all challenges and enhance their capabilities for responding in multiple domains at short notice. He also emphasized the need for conserving assets, optimally utilizing resources, and the need for jointmanship to enhance National Security.
During the three-day conference, the Air Force Commanders will discuss important issues related to future challenges in a Hi-tech and evolving operational scenario. The focus will be on the conduct of operations smartly and efficiently. Mitigation of threats posed by drones will also be brainstormed during the conference.
India – Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise
In another development, the 9th Edition of India – Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise being held since March 25, at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh was concluded on Wednesday.
Over the past two weeks, Special Forces contingents from India and Kyrgyzstan shared their expertise and best practices of tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter existing and emergent threats across the entire spectrum of conflict. Combat shooting, sniping, survival in mountains, hostage rescue drills, and unarmed combat were practiced extensively during the Exercise.
Besides sharing special skills and techniques between participating Special Forces contingents, the joint training further strengthened the existing bond between India and Kyrgyzstan that has fostered over years of mutual respect for strategic autonomy, democratic values, and zero tolerance for terrorism.
