NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday called upon the armed forces to strengthen both offensive and defensive capabilities, particularly the element of surprise, to maintain combat readiness against conventional and emerging security threats amid the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare.
Addressing the Air Force Commanders' Conference, Singh stressed the need to strengthen intelligence and surveillance mechanisms, identify potential threats in advance and ensure that the military remains prepared to respond swiftly to unexpected developments.
He said the changing security environment required continuous adaptation, technological advancement and a forward-looking approach to military preparedness.
"Our defence forces must develop capabilities and methods that leave the adversary with no time to react or recover, while simultaneously ensuring that we are never caught off guard by an unexpected move from the enemy," he said.
The Defence Minister observed that modern conflicts were increasingly extending beyond conventional battlefields into non-contact domains, making intelligence, electronic warfare and advanced surveillance systems critical to national security.
He called for enhanced operational preparedness to counter threats emerging from conventional as well as electronic warfare, including kamikaze drones, surveillance systems and other advanced technologies.
Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, Singh highlighted the growing importance of drones and air defence systems in contemporary warfare. He urged Indian Air Force commanders to prepare for emerging challenges by developing dedicated doctrines and operational frameworks for electronic, cyber and space warfare.
Emphasising the changing character of future conflicts, he said victory would depend not merely on the number of aircraft but also on technological sophistication, speed of response and precision in operational planning.
Singh called upon the IAF to integrate these emerging domains into its institutional thinking, strategic planning and operational processes.
He also highlighted the transformative phase currently underway in the armed forces, with reforms encompassing organisational structures, jointness and integration among the three services.
Commending the Indian Air Force for its performance during and after Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister appreciated the professionalism, restraint and sound judgement demonstrated by air warriors while executing their assigned responsibilities.
He said the operational lessons from the mission were reflected in the IAF's evolving procedures, particularly the growing emphasis on drones and air defence systems. These experiences, he added, were helping shape the pace and direction of reforms in the armed forces.
Highlighting the coordinated contribution of the Army, Navy and Air Force during Operation Sindoor, Singh congratulated the three services for demonstrating effective synergy and integration. He stressed that jointness must remain central to future military planning and operational execution.
The Defence Minister also appreciated the IAF's efforts to upgrade the skills and capabilities of its personnel in line with rapid technological advancements. He urged commanders to focus on training air warriors in emerging technologies and make effective use of the technical knowledge and expertise of young recruits.
Referring to the two-year extension granted to Agniveers, Singh said the decision had been taken after considering feedback from the armed forces. He reiterated the government's commitment to incorporating suggestions from the services into policy decisions and expressed confidence that the Second Tour of Duty would further strengthen the three services.
During the conference, Singh also launched a series of artificial intelligence applications developed in-house by the Indian Air Force's AI Centre of Excellence.
The applications, hosted on the IAF's secure network, are designed to automate and accelerate tasks related to operations, administration and aerospace safety.
The initiative marks another step towards technology-driven transformation of the Indian Air Force and strengthening its operational efficiency and preparedness for future security challenges.
