IAF Chief Advocates Indigenous Defense Manufacturing

Ahead of Indian Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh emphasized the urgency for India to develop its own weapon systems to avoid dependency on foreign suppliers. He also expressed confidence in the Agnipath scheme and affirmed India's air strike capabilities, citing the Balakot incident.

New Delhi [India], October 4 (ANI): In a significant move ahead of Indian Air Force Day, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has highlighted the strategic need for India to cultivate an indigenous weapon system over relying on foreign imports. Addressing a press conference on Friday, he warned of the dangers posed by changing international interests, which could become potential chokepoints during conflicts. He asserted, "If you need to fight the war, you have to have these weapons being manufactured in India. The reliance on imported weapons cannot sustain in the long run."

Emphasizing on manufacturing growth, he urged domestic manufacturing agencies to ramp up production. "It is not only about capability but also about building capacity," said Singh. He stressed that producing arms locally is crucial to avoid waste and ensure readiness. "We can't be stocking up everything forever; these things will eventually expire," he remarked.

On the topic of the Agnipath scheme, Singh shared his insights, noting the potential for the Indian Air Force to integrate more than a quarter of Agniveers, if required by governmental mandate. "Our feedback on Agniveers has been very positive," he stated. In response to inquiries about the Air Force's operational capacities, he confidently declared that India possesses the capability to conduct precision strikes similar to those by Israel, citing the exemplified prowess during the Balakot air raids.

(With inputs from agencies.)