Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with IAF Commanders during Air Force Commanders’ Conference 

Newdelhi:10/10/17:The bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference was inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri this morning at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan). Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, welcomed Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman and Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre and introduced the IAF Commanders to them.

The CAS briefed the Raksha Mantri on the current status of the IAF and the efforts that have been made in the recent past. During her address the Raksha Mantri said that the devolved powers given to the Service Chiefs should be fully utilised for achieving their capabilities. The Minister said that Air Force alongwith Ordnance Factory Board and DRDO should make an assessment about indigenisation under ‘Make-in-India’ programme. She said that the budgetary allocations should not be viewed as a constraint and should be looked at to acquire what is absolutely necessary. She said that the Government is committed to fill the gaps which have arisen due to lack of timely decision making in the last decade.

The Chief of the Air Staff while addressing the Commanders emphasised the need for continuous effort and training to maintain IAF’s cutting edge. He also reiterated the IAF’s role as the first responder in most contingencies and thus the need to sustain the ongoing process of capability enhancement making use of the Government’s thrust on ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.