Defence Minister Tweeted: Attended @IAF_MCC Commanders’ Conference. Proud of being among the best, highly motivating protectors of India

​​The IAF said that both the Balakot strikes and the February 27 aerial engagement will be discussed during the conference. Sitharaman, while addressing the first bi-annual Indian Air Force (IAF) Commanders’ Conference that began on Tuesday, appreciated the IAF for executing the air strikes on the terrorist facility on February 26

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force will discuss its air strikes on a terrorist facility in Balakot, Pakistan and the aerial engagement with the Pakistan Air Force during its Commanders’ Conference in light of improving its operational capabilities.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while addressing the first bi-annual Indian Air Force (IAF) Commanders’ Conference that began on Tuesday, appreciated the IAF for executing the air strikes on the terrorist facility on February 26 and the next day thwarting the Pakistan Air Force targeting Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The IAF said that both the Balakot strikes and the February 27 aerial engagement will be discussed during the conference. The theme of the conference is ‘Enhancing our operational capability in the short and long term’. This comes amid the IAF on Monday stating with different evidences, including radar images, that one of its MiG-21 BISON aircraft flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet.

Along with this, the IAF at the conference which began on Tuesday will also discuss the latest technologies in the aviation field to make itself a more high-tech force. It is procuring 36 Rafale fighter aircraft which will not only boost its capabilities, but also be a game changer over India’s adversaries. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa while addressing his commanders emphasised on improving the IAF’s capabilities in space, cyber, information, Artificial Intelligence and drone technology. Sitharaman also asked the IAF commanders to examine the latest technologies, such as in avionics and drones, available across the world and bring them to the government’s notice for their indigenous development.

She also asserted to the IAF top brass to focus on enhancing its role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in southern parts of India. This could entail establishing more airbases and deploying additional aircraft, officials said.

She also that IAF retired personnel could contribute towards defence manufacturing in India for creating future platforms by joining industries.

Meanwhile, an IAF statement on the conference read, “She (Sitharaman) said that the IAF has proved its mettle in Exercise Gagan Shakti 2018 and Vayu Shakti 2019 and the same reflected in the successfully conducted Balakot Strike and air action on 27 February.”

The IAF’s air strikes and the next day’s dogfight have led to a war of words between India and Pakistan over the targets being hit in Balakot and the downing of a Pakistani F-16. Pakistan has been claiming that no targets were hit in Balakot and its F-16 jet was not shot down. On the contrary, India has maintained that it hit what it targeted and its MiG-21 aircraft flown by Varthaman had shot down the F-16.

“She (Sitharaman) expressed great appreciation for the training imparted to all personnel in the IAF as reflected in the actions and conduct of Wing Commander Abhinandan,” said the IAF.

Simultaneously, the army is conducting its commanders’ conference which is deliberating on improving its operational plans and effectiveness in the backdrop of military tensions with Pakistan. The latter has still not moved back its units which it had mobilised following the February 14 Pulwama attack in fear of a retaliation from India.

Meanwhile, the official Twitter handle of the defence ministry’s spokesperson posted,“@DefenceMinIndia joins @IAF_MCC Cdrs Conference, appreciates training, professionalism & ethos of the Force, seeks the IAF hierarchy to debate issues like enhanced role in HADR, identify global trends in R&D and guide academia & industry for futuristic needs of the Force.”

On Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations (HADR), an official explained, “The Defence Minister said that the IAF should focus more on HADR operations in the south. Right now they are supporting the navy in such operations. So we will see more infrastructure in terms on air bases being built and deploying additional aircraft for such roles,” said an official.