New Delhi: The Centre for Air Power Studies convened the 20th Subroto Mukerjee Seminar at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Friday. The seminar’s theme was “India & the Global South: Challenges and Opportunities.” Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), honored the event with his presence and delivered the inaugural address.
During his address, the CAS highlighted India’s proactive role in addressing the concerns of the Global South countries. He emphasized the criticality of air power and the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) role as a catalyst for progress. He advocated for fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the collective advancement of the Global South.
The IAF’s expanding presence during regular training engagements with partner nations has led to the exchange of best practices in operations and maintenance. The CAS also acknowledged the instrumental role of Indian Military Advisory Teams and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program’s courses, which have facilitated significant collaboration by training over 200,000 officials in both the civil and defense sectors.
The CAS emphasized that in the past nine years, the IAF has trained over 5,000 foreign trainees from Global South countries. He further stressed that India’s indigenous aerospace platforms, such as the LCA, LCH, Akash missile systems, and radars, offer competitive and reliable options for Global South air forces, ultimately boosting India’s economic and technological influence.
Finally, he reiterated the IAF’s crucial role in international HADR operations, which has further solidified India’s leadership position in the Global South.
The event also saw the launching of two books: “Indian Air Power: Contemporary and Future Dynamics” by Air Marshal (Dr) Diptendu Choudhury (Retd) and “Aeroengine Fundamentals and Landscape in India: A Way Forward” by Air Vice Marshal Suresh Singh.