Military Strength, Not Economy Alone, Safeguards Sovereignty: IAF Chief

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Team Bharatshakti
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ACM AP Singh
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressing the 22nd Subroto Mukerjee Seminar at New Delhi

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, on Wednesday said military power remained the final guarantor of national security, warning that economic or diplomatic strength alone could not protect a nation’s sovereignty.

Speaking at the 22nd Subroto Mukherjee Seminar on national security imperatives in New Delhi, he cited Venezuela and Iraq as examples of countries rendered vulnerable by weak defence capabilities.

“Military power is the ultimate arbiter,” he said. “Without a robust military, you can be subjugated.”

Air Chief said economic dominance had not prevented colonisation in the past.

“We once controlled a large share of global GDP,” he noted. “That did not stop us from being colonised.”

He stressed that beyond capability, the will to use military power was critical.

“Restraint without strength is seen as weakness,” he said. “Restraint backed by strength is respected.”

Emphasising the role of air power in modern warfare, Air Chief Marshal Singh said air capabilities had repeatedly delivered decisive results.

“Air power delivers speed and precision,” he said.

He pointed to counter-terror strikes, humanitarian evacuations and rapid responses as examples that sent “a clear signal” to adversaries.

He noted the IAF demonstrated its ability to strike multiple targets deep inside Pakistan within hours during Operation Sindoor. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied areas and convey deterrence.

“The objectives were clear,” he said. “We disengaged after achieving them.”

He added that many conflicts dragged on due to a lack of clarity.

“Clear aims and decisive execution matter,” he said.

Addressing Pakistan’s claims of shooting down Indian fighter jets, the Air Chief dismissed them as unsubstantiated. He said India had released verifiable imagery of damage to Pakistani targets, while Islamabad had provided no credible evidence.

Recalling Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, the founding father of the IAF, he said the force was built under severe constraints. While the IAF today was better resourced, he cautioned against complacency. “Do not rest on past glory,” he said. “Prepare for future challenges.”

The annual seminar, organised by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), brought together senior military leaders and defence experts to discuss emerging security challenges amid a volatile global environment.

Team BharatShakti

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