‘Robust military, strong will key to national security’: Air Force Chief AP Singh cites Venezuela example

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday said that a robust military and a strong will are key to national security. Speaking at the 22nd Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, the Air Chief Marshal cited the recent examples of Venezuela and Iraq, saying that if you don’t have military power, you can be subjugated by anybody.

“We must understand that military power stands as the ultimate arbiter of national power… Any one of these powers is very important, but finally, what is required is a robust military, because if you don’t have it, you can be subjugated by anybody. Venezuela and Iraq are the most recent examples,” he said.

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The Air Force Chief further stressed that having military might alone is not enough, and the will to use that power is even more important. “Unless you have that will, you can keep showing restraint, but that restraint will be seen as a weakness. It is only when you’re strong enough, and you show restraint, that it is seen as a capability…”

He also highlighted the importance of air power, which has repeatedly delivered decisive results for India, adding that it must remain a key focus if the country wants to emerge as a force to be reckoned with.

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“Whether it is getting people out of the conflict zone, whether it is to give a blow to terrorist infrastructure and their perpetrators, or whether it is attacking bases in Pakistan in a matter of a few hours to send a signal that enough is enough and bring them to their knees. It was the air power that did the trick, and that has to be remembered…,” he said.

Singh said that Subroto Mukherjee, the former Chief of the Air Staff, built the Indian Air Force in an era of constraints, uncertainties, and limited resources. “With the kind of foresight he had, he took us on the right path, because as they say, well begun is half done. He put us on the right path, and we have been growing from strength to strength.”

The Air Chief Marshal considered himself in a much better place than his predecessors because the resources continued to get better. Urging stakeholders to balance power and preparedness, the Air Force chief said that India “should not rest on past glory and brace up for future challenges.”