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Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee(COSC) and Chief of Air Staff (CAS) today delivered his address to the top brass of the three services as well as the civilian officers of the Government of India at the Naval War College, Goa. Talking on Transformation of the IAF-Challenges and Opportunities, ACM Raha brought out that Aerospace power being the youngest by virtue of a mere 110 years of existence also had the unique advantage of freedom from surface friction inherent in Land and Sea operations. Stressing on the primacy of aerospace power, he also said that it would also remain the primary instrument of choice in most operational contingencies and thereby affect the outcome in war and peace.

ACM Raha stated that for India to have a greater strategic footprint in the existing world order, the requirement of aerial platforms for enhanced air mobility, heavy lift, Airborne early warning and in-flight refueling were considered inescapable. These platforms would also have enhanced relevance in the future threat environment.

In conclusion, he said it was imperative that procurement of strategic assets be made a continuous and long term endeavour, based on judicious allotment of funds combined with visionary planning and commitment of national resources, involving all the stake holders.

RCD/MKS