New Delhi: With the continuing tension along the Sino-Indian border on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the three-day Air Force Commanders’ Conference (ACC) which concluded on July 24 had a series of discussions and reviews on operational preparedness and strategies for countering security threats envisaged across the entire spectrum. They discussed the current situation and thereafter carried out a thorough review of the IAF’s transformation roadmap for the next decade.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General MM Naravane addressed the Conference and interacted with the Commanders as well as the Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Air Headquarters on matters of jointness and integrated war fighting. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria reviewed the status and issues related to all Commands as well as branches.

In his closing address, the CAS articulated Vision 2030 laying down the milestones for transformation of IAF in the coming decade. He said it was important to recognise the nature of emerging threats in a rapidly changing world. He also emphasised on the need for rapid capacity building, increase in serviceability of all assets and dedicated work towards effective integration of new technologies in the shortest time frame.

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria reiterated that the IAF’s long term goals for sustainable capability mandate the acquisition and employment of niche technologies and development of indigenous platforms and weapons. The Air Chief stated that since human resource was the most valuable asset of the IAF, recruitment, training and motivation strategies should keep pace with the changing times.