Security Conditions In The Neighbourhood Are Less Than Ideal; Iaf Chief Says Hybrid Warfare Must Be Prepared

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari stressed the need to supplement India’s economic success with a mirrored trajectory of homegrown military capabilities on Tuesday, stating that the security environment in our neighbourhood is still far from ideal. Despite the fact that the nation faces a wide range of challenges, the Air Chief Marshal stated that the government must prepare for hybrid battles since they present a unique challenge.

“The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to have an impact on people everywhere. The world is currently experiencing an economic downturn, and many smaller nations are already feeling the full impact of the political and economic turmoil brought on by hyperinflation. As our economy has demonstrated a strong recovery in this setting, India continues to be an exception “He mentioned this here at the India Defence Conclave.

“The level of security in our neighbourhood is still far from ideal. Because of this, the trajectory of our domestic military capabilities must match the trajectory of our economic prosperity. Rapid economic development has made it possible for nations to extensively spend in military technology and related research and development “he said

The Air Chief Marshal observed that efforts have been made by numerous power centres to expand their influence in open and exposed areas of the military, technological, and commercial spheres.

In order to achieve the goals of sustainability, inclusivity, economic progress, and security, he stated, “India, as a responsible nation, is committed to expanding cooperation and partnership.”

Chaudhari emphasised the need for the Indian Air Force to improve its capabilities in the conventional, sub-conventional, and non-conventional domains given the current political climate.

“New technologies, platforms, weapons, systems, and modes of combat are currently being conceptualised, and they have the potential to render the current inventory obsolete or even obsolete-looking. In order to attack us in the event of any escalation or even in the event of a no war, no peace scenario, our opponents have developed full spectrum capabilities across numerous fields.

“We currently face a wide range of challenges, but the emergence of hybrid wars poses a particular problem. We need to develop and retain a technological advantage over our opponents and get ready for hybrid warfare to counter such threats. This makes domestic platform, sensor, weapon, and networking research and manufacture particularly important for the development of future capabilities “said he.