Hyderabad, December 30 (INN): Army chief General VK Singh on Thursday stressed the need for induction of sophisticated and costly equipment in the armed forces.
Speaking as the chief guest in the Combined Graduation Parade of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, Gen Singh said that the need for induction of sophisticated equipment was long felt due to security environment in the region, it could not be fulfilled due to resource constraints. “These constraints will continue to exist and it will be your duty to handle the equipment provided to you with care and efficiency,” he exhorted the 175 flight cadets who passed out of the academy.
“As a growing regional power, India’s ‘strategic footprint’ would be influenced by its interests and responsibilities. The burgeoning economy of a resurgent India, makes energy and trade security as important as the country’s territorial security,” the Army chief said. He said that in order to meet the security challenges, India would need strategic reach.
Welcoming the cadets into the fraternity of the Indian Armed Forces, Gen Singh hoped that they would perform their duties with determination.
Later, talking to reporters Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Training Command) Air Marshal D Kukreja and Air Force Academy Commandant Air Marshal PR Sharma said that the number of seats in the academy would be increased from 280 to 750. A proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Centre for approval. Further, PC-7 twin-cockpit aircraft of Switzerland would be inducted for training the cadets from 2013. (INN)