‘Be ready at a moment's notice’: New IAF Chief Ashutosh Dixit sets operational priority

New Delhi: Newly-appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Sunday stated that restoring the Indian Air Force's sanctioned fighter squadron strength, advancing self-reliance in platforms and weapon systems, and fostering tri-services synergy will serve as his foremost priorities.

A day after taking charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Dixit outlined his strategic agenda under the acronym VAYU, defining his vision as Vigilance and operational readiness, Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), Yukti (tactical innovation), and Unity of effort across the three military arms.

"Our security environment remains demanding. In addition, the character of war is being reshaped by new technologies and systems like drones, long-range precision weapons, space, cyber, AI and the electromagnetic spectrum," he said.

"The Air Force, while transforming into the force that India will need in the next decade, must always be ready to fight and win," he said.

Detailing the core pillars of his VAYU framework, the Air Chief Marshal noted that rebuilding the IAF's fighter strength toward sanctioned levels remains a primary objective.

"V is for Vigilance and readiness. Every squadron, every radar, every air defence unit, along with each and every air warrior, must be ready to respond at a moment's notice," he stressed.

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Expanding on Aatmanirbharta, the IAF Chief affirmed that indigenously manufactured sensors, platforms, and weaponry will receive the highest priority.

"We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers, and that must sustain operations demands. Our responsibility is to fight and win, but most importantly it is to deter conflict through credible air power," he said.

"Y is for Yukti, our ingenuity. Innovation in doctrine, procedures and in technology: networked, AI-enabled command and control; layered counter-drone defence; responsive maintenance, force protection, resilience and use of near-space as operational domains for the Air Force, are all areas which will be constantly monitored and progressed," he said.

Addressing organisational integration, the Chief of Air Staff explained that U represents Unity of effort.

"In step with the vision of JAI, Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation, we will plan and fight as one along with our Army, our Navy and our national agencies. Air power delivers most when it is integrated from the very first plan," he noted.

Air Chief Marshal Dixit added: "To the fellow citizens of my motherland, please trust that your Air Force is vigilant, ready and resolute."

"Our commitment is clear: to remain ready, to keep transforming and to deliver whenever the nation calls," he said.

PTI