Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has urged the Indian Air Force to emulate the Indian Navy’s successful model of indigenisation, stressing that the aviation sector must accelerate its path towards self-reliance. 

He made these remarks during the commissioning of INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, where he praised the Navy’s early adoption of indigenous shipbuilding practices.

Singh highlighted that the Navy embeds its officers in shipbuilding projects from the very beginning, allowing them to gain deep expertise over their careers. Many continue to contribute even after retirement, ensuring continuity and long-term knowledge retention. He suggested that the Air Force should adopt a similar approach in aviation projects to make its dream of self-reliance a reality sooner.

He acknowledged that the Air Force had taken longer to pursue this model, noting that different sectors require varying amounts of time to develop. However, he emphasised that the IAF was steadily moving closer to its goal of self-reliance, with indigenous research, development and production capabilities showing encouraging growth, though some distance remained before targets could be fully achieved.

Singh warned that technology must be developed at a pace that keeps it relevant. He cautioned that if development lags behind global advancements, the effort loses meaning. “Any technology delayed is technology denied,” he remarked, underlining the urgency of timely innovation.

The commissioning of INS Malvan, with nearly 80 per cent indigenous content, was presented as a symbol of the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Singh praised the Navy’s progress and expressed hope that the aviation sector would replicate this achievement. He noted that while some components still needed to be sourced or co-produced abroad, those gaps would eventually be bridged.

Beyond indigenisation, Singh stressed the importance of jointness among the armed forces. He declared that no future war could be fought by a single service acting independently. “All of us, whether we are in blues, whites, or OGs, we all have to fight together as one nation, and then only we will succeed,” he said.

He pointed out that momentum towards greater cooperation had grown over the past four to five years, particularly after the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post, and expressed confidence that this trend would continue.

Singh also linked maritime security to India’s economic destiny, noting that sea routes determine trade and trade determines national prosperity.

He praised the Navy’s role in securing sea lines of communication, ensuring uninterrupted trade and growth, and underscored the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region.

The ceremony at Karwar Naval Base, one of the world’s most modern naval facilities developed under Project Seabird, was attended by senior naval officers, veterans, and representatives of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Singh commended the shipyard and project teams for their successful delivery of INS Malvan, which he described as a milestone in India’s maritime vision.

His remarks reflected a broader call for synergy between the services, faster technological development, and a stronger push towards indigenous defence capabilities. The Air Chief’s appeal for the IAF to learn from the Navy’s embedded expertise model underscored the urgency of aligning aviation with India’s wider self-reliance goals.

Agencies