Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes has asked the Air Force Commanders to review the security environment and operational plans keeping in view the recent developments. "These developments have initiated a process of re-assessment on the issues of security and threat perception the world over and we are affected even more due to proximity of the events in our neighborhood’’, said the Defence Minister while addressing the Air Force Commanders on the inaugural day of the week-long bi-annual Commanders’ Conference.

The Defence Minister declared that the war against terrorism in Afghanistan has once again brought out the critical role of air power. It was in this context that Mr Fernandes shared the Air Chief’s belief that air power would play a decisive role in all future conflicts. Therefore, he added, it is necessary to develop the Air Force to meet all challenges ranging from war against terrorism to strategic conventional conflicts. ‘‘We must be prepared to continue our fight against terrorism on our own, as in the past’’, he said.

Mr Fernandes assured the Commanders that all efforts would be made to make available the necessary resources in the shortest possible time. The recent restructuring in the Ministry of Defence should help in this process, the Minister added.

Earlier, the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis, in his presentation, emphasised the need to increase the operational efforts and expedite the decision-making process in defence acquisitions. He explained the complex interplay of maintenance, production, aircraft availability, operational preparedness and flight safety. He also brought out the requirement of enhanced combat force levels to meet the emerging challenges, as also to offer an effective deterrence. He put on record the personal initiative taken by the Defence Minister in expediting the various requirements of the IAF including the AJT and called for an early settlement of pending issues.

Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the seven Air Force commands and the Principal Staff Officers at Air Headquarters attended the bi-annual Commanders’ Conference. The conference provided an opportunity for the Commanders to review the operational plans in keeping with the changing security scenario.