Defence Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh inaugurated the week-long Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi. The bi-annual Commanders’ Conference was attended by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the seven Air Force commands and the Principal Staff Officers at Air HQrs. This provided an opportunity to the Commanders to review the operational plans in the changing security scenario.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis briefing the Defence Minister on the operational state of the IAF, projected the force level requirements in the present security environment to maintain an effective deterrence. The Air Chief also highlighted the urgent requirement of operational and ground infrastructure upgradation. He said, keeping in view of the high cost of replacement, greater interaction with PSUs and private sector was being pursued for accelerating the process of indigenisation and life extension of various aircraft and weapon systems. The Defence Minister, in his address, emphasised the requirement of expediting the process of decision making in defence-related matters. He assured full support to the IAF to meet all the operational requirements.

On this occasion, the Chief of Air Staff also presented trophies to various commands for implementing the Hindi language policy and the Chief of Air Staff Trophy for the best sportsman to Sgt Anil Kumar of the Training Command. Sgt Anil Kumar is an outstanding swimmer who won a gold medal in 50 mtrs butterfly at the National Aquatic Championship last year.