New Delhi. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary has said that the traditional boundaries of water, land, air, cyber and space domains are rapidly becoming “blurred”, leading to a radical change in the battlefield. In a recorded video address broadcast at the inaugural session of the three-day Indian Defense Space Seminar on Friday, the Air Force chief also said that to “maintain our strategic autonomy”, capabilities must be developed that “protect our interests in space.” Will be necessary for defence.
In his address, the Air Chief Marshal underlined that the established scheme of things is changing with the rapid rise of new technologies and opening up of doors to the private sector. He said that along with providing new solutions, it is also opening doors for exploration at low cost. The Air Force Chief said that, however, along with these new possibilities, “new threats” are also emerging. “We are seeing the democratization of space with increasing participation of the private sector,” he said. Civilian space travel, which was a dream 25 years ago, is a reality today.
Subject experts, senior officers of the armed forces and representatives of the space sector industry are participating in the seminar organized from April 18 to April 20 at the Manekshaw Center here. The Air Force Chief said, “Traditional boundaries of water, land, air, cyber and space are becoming increasingly blurred, leading to a radical change in the battlefield. I think that to maintain our strategic autonomy, we have to develop the capabilities that are necessary to protect our interests in space.
The Air Force chief said there is a need for greater public-private partnership and dialogue among all stakeholders, including the armed forces, to “realize our full potential” in space. He said the National Space Policy 2023 is in the “right direction” and will definitely promote “self-reliance”. Air Chief Marshal Choudhary said, “We will need to work together and build a strong, thriving and vibrant space ecosystem in India.
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Tags: Defense Ministry, Indian air force
FIRST PUBLISHED: April 19, 2024, 23:04 IST