No room to ‘stand still’: IAF Chief A.P. Singh on building future air power after success of Operation Sindoor
He also reaffirmed air power's decisive role as the nation's primary responder and its strategic deterrent
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is keeping a close eye on the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on developing capabilities for extended-range operations, according to Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh. Speaking on October 25, 2026, Singh emphasized that the IAF is prepared and committed to safeguarding India's national interests in the resource-rich region.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Singh outlined the key capabilities the IAF requires to safeguard India's strategic autonomy. These include extended reach, persistent surveillance, air mobility, air-domain awareness, networked command and control, and the ability to operate effectively over long distances. The strategic position of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands serves as a critical launchpad for such operations, while aerial refueling and airborne early warning systems provide the necessary reach and awareness to operate far from India's shores.
Singh highlighted the Indo-Pacific as a central focus for global security, noting the increasing military activity, strategic competition, and contestation in the region. He stressed the need for vigilance, credible deterrence, and enhanced regional cooperation to address these challenges. The IAF is actively building partnerships with friendly air forces, including recent joint exercises with the Royal Thai Air Force in the Indian Ocean, which are aimed at building capability and trust.
The IAF's preparedness is based on a comprehensive approach, focusing on detecting emerging challenges early, operating across multiple domains, and generating the necessary effects wherever India's national interests are at stake. With its focus on advanced systems, including intelligence-surveillance, reconnaissance, space-enabled systems, electronic warfare, precision weapons, unmanned systems, and resilient networks, the IAF aims to maintain its readiness to safeguard India's security in the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.
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