'Security Environment Remains Demanding': New IAF Chief Lists Drones, AI, Long-Range Weapons As Priorities

News india 'Security Environment Remains Demanding': New IAF Chief Lists Drones, AI, Long-Range Weapons As Priorities

Last Updated:November 01, 2026, 12:21 IST

Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Dixit, who took charge from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, said the Indian Air Force must remain prepared to fight and win.

Newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Sunday said India’s security environment remained demanding, pointing to the growing role of drones, long-range precision weapons, space, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and the electromagnetic spectrum in reshaping the character of warfare.

“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.

Dixit, who took charge from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, said the Indian Air Force must remain prepared to fight and win even as it transforms to meet the country’s requirements in the coming decade. He outlined the force’s priorities under the acronym VAYU, which stands for vigilance, victory and readiness, Atmanirbharta, Yukti and unity of effort.

“The Air Force, while transforming into the force that India will need in the next decade, must always be ready to fight and win. Our priorities can be summed up in one word: VAYU," he said.

Explaining the first pillar, Dixit said: “In VAYU, V is for vigilance, victory, and readiness. Every squadron, every radar, every air defense unit, and all the units, along with each and every air warrior must be ready to respond at a moment’s notice."

He identified restoring the IAF’s combat strength to sanctioned levels as his foremost task. “Restoring our combat strength towards the sanctioned levels will also be my foremost task," he said.

The second pillar, Atmanirbharta, places indigenous platforms, sensors and weapons at the centre of the IAF’s capability-building efforts. Dixit named the Tejas Mk 1A and Mk 2, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Indian sensors and Indian weapons as the force’s highest priorities.

“A is for Atmanirbharta. The Tejas Mark 1A and 2, the AMCA, Indian sensors, Indian weapons are our highest priority. We will fight with Indian solutions and we will hold them in numbers and to meet sustained operational demands," he said.

He also linked self-reliance to the IAF’s deterrence capability, saying: “Our responsibility is to fight and win, but most importantly, it is to deter conflict through credible air power."

The third pillar, Yukti, or ingenuity, focuses on innovation in operational doctrines, procedures and technology. Dixit listed networked, AI-enabled command-and-control systems, layered ground defence, responsive maintenance, force protection and resilience among the areas requiring sustained attention.

“Y is for Yukti, or ingenuity. Innovation in doctrines, procedures, and in technology. Networked, AI-enabled command and control, layered ground defense, 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.

The fourth pillar, Unity of Effort, focuses on joint planning and operations with the Army, Navy and other national agencies.

“U is for Unity of effort. In step with the vision of jointness, Atmanirbharta, 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," Dixit said.

He also underlined the importance of the IAF’s personnel, including air warriors, Agniveer Vayus, civilian employees, veterans, Veer Naris and their families.

“Underpinning all of this are our people: our air warriors, Agniveer Vayus, civilians, veterans, Veer Naris, and their families. Their training, professional excellence, morale, safety, welfare, and dignity will have my personal attention," he said.

Earlier in the day, Dixit paid homage at the National War Memorial to those who laid down their lives for the country, saying their courage would remain the standard against which the force measured itself.

“Their courage is the standard against which we will measure ourselves," he said.

He also thanked his predecessor for handing over the IAF in a high state of readiness, praising his leadership during operations and the force’s use of precise and decisive air power.

“I take over from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, under whose leadership in operations and in… the Air Force displayed precise and decisive air power… I thank him for handing over a force in a high state of readiness," Dixit said.

Addressing citizens, the new IAF chief said the force would remain prepared and committed to responding whenever called upon.

“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.

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Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ...Read More

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