Hindon Air Force Base (Ghaziabad), Oct 8 (ANI): Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal N A K Browne, on Monday said the situation in country's neighbourhood was a matter of serious concern.
Addressing the parade on the occasion of 80th anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) here, Air Marshal Browne said the coming times would be very challenging due to the security situation in our neighbourhood.
"The present time is both interesting and challenging. The deteriorating security situation in our neighbourhood and its frequent violent manifestations are matter of serious concern to us. The need of the hour therefore is to be ever vigilant and prepared," he said.
Air Marshal Browne said that the Indian Air Force is modernizing comprehensively to keep pace with the changing times.
"Over the last year, our operational preparedness has remained very high. A number of operational tasks that test our resources were effectively completed. At the same time, we ensured that the IAF transformation drive and operationalisation of few aircrafts and equipment continued at a very rapid pace," said Air Marshal Browne.
" In a short time of only eight months, we inducted four V17 and V5 helicopter units and these are today actively deployed in our western and northeastern sectors," he added.
Air Marshal Browne further said the Indian Air Force has been trying to strengthen and upgrade its system with the latest technologies, which brings it at par with other security forces of the world.
"Our air defence network has also been significantly strengthened by induction and integration of modern weapon systems and censors. We are currently implementing the phase II of our integrated air command and control system, which will cover the entire Indian air space including that of the Andaman and Nicobar islands," said Air Marshal Browne.
"We are progressively nearing our goal of having network centric operations," he added.
A fly-past by vintage Tiger Moth aircraft was the attraction at the Air Force Day parade today in absence of aerobatic display by the grounded Suryakiran planes and Sarang helicopter squad.
On the 80th anniversary of IAF, the 1930s Tiger Moth biplane, the first resurrected aircraft of the vintage squadron of the force, was the only new addition to the flying display team for the event.
As soon as the yellow-coloured aircraft, which saw action during World War II, took off, it was welcomed by a thunderous applause from the gathering.
The indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft (AEW andC) along with the Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 choppers were showcased for the first time as part of the static display. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
