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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday urged Indian Air Force (IAF) commanders to internalise the operational lessons from Operation Sindoor and remain vigilant and prepared to meet emerging security challenges, underlining that air power has become a decisive instrument in contemporary warfare.
Addressing the Air Force Commanders’ Conclave here, Singh said the Armed Forces had demonstrated India’s “high-impact, short-duration operational capability” during Operation Sindoor, and described the IAF as a technologically advanced, operationally agile and strategically confident force safeguarding national interests amid a rapidly evolving global order.
The Defence Minister praised the speed, precision and effectiveness with which the IAF destroyed terror camps during the operation, as well as its handling of what he termed Pakistan’s “irresponsible reaction” following the strikes. Referring to public confidence in India’s air defence preparedness, Singh said the calm response of citizens during attempted Pakistani attacks on Indian installations reflected deep trust in the Armed Forces.
“Usually, when the enemy attacks, people hide. But when Pakistani forces tried to target Indian installations, people across the country remained calm and continued with their daily routines. This is proof of the trust every Indian has in our operational preparedness,” he said.
Emphasising the need to maintain a decisive edge, Singh called upon commanders to thoroughly understand both the offensive and defensive capabilities of adversaries. He said lessons from Operation Sindoor should guide future planning and preparedness.
Highlighting the changing character of warfare, Singh said conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war, the Israel–Hamas conflict, the Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor demonstrated that air power had emerged as a decisive force. He stressed that air power was not merely a tactical asset but a strategic instrument, defined by speed, surprise and shock effect.
“Air power provides national leadership with the ability to deliver a clear strategic message to the adversary. Through speed, reach and precision, it has become an effective tool for aligning national objectives with military means,” he said.
While commending the performance of India’s air defence systems and other equipment employed during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture. He noted that 21st-century warfare was increasingly shaped by technology, ideas and adaptability, with cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, satellite-based surveillance and space-enabled capabilities redefining conflict.
“Precision-guided weapons, real-time intelligence and data-driven decision-making are no longer optional but basic requirements for success in modern warfare,” Singh said, adding that nations mastering technology, strategic vision and adaptability would move towards global leadership.
Singh also expressed confidence that the Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address earlier this year, would play a crucial role in protecting national assets. He said the development of indigenous jet engines had been taken up as a national mission, with full government support to achieve the objective.
The conference was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and senior IAF commanders. The Defence Minister was briefed by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on the IAF’s operational readiness. The conference serves as a key platform for the IAF leadership to review operational priorities, address emerging challenges and advance Atmanirbharta in defence capabilities.
Team BharatShakti
