KARWAR (Karnataka), July 22: Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Wednesday emphasised that future conflicts will require close coordination among all branches of the armed forces, stating that no single military service can independently handle the challenges of modern warfare.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), the Indian Air Force chief highlighted the importance of joint operations, indigenous defence capabilities and rapid advancement in military technology.
Singh said that the changing nature of warfare requires the Army, Navy and Air Force to operate as a unified force rather than functioning separately.
“Future wars will not be fought by one individual service. Whether it is the Air Force, Navy, Army or allied organisations, everyone has to come together and fight as one nation to achieve success,” he said.
He noted that the push towards greater integration among the armed forces has gained momentum in recent years, particularly after the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post. According to him, this approach will continue strengthening India’s defence preparedness in the coming years.
The commissioning event of INS Malvan was attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, senior naval officials, defence veterans and representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
Maritime Security Vital for India’s Growth
Highlighting the importance of naval strength, Singh said maritime security plays a crucial role in protecting India’s economic interests and ensuring uninterrupted trade.
He pointed out that sea routes influence global commerce and economic stability, making the Indian Ocean region strategically important for the country.
The Air Chief praised the Indian Navy for safeguarding maritime communication routes and supporting India’s economic development by ensuring secure movement of trade across international waters.
Without directly referring to ongoing global conflicts, Singh said recent international developments have demonstrated the importance of maintaining safe sea lanes and protecting free trade.
He stressed that nations must have strong maritime capabilities to secure their interests in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Need for Faster Defence Technology Development
During his address, Singh underlined the importance of developing advanced military technologies quickly, warning that delays could reduce their effectiveness on the battlefield.
He said defence technology must evolve at a pace that matches global developments, adding that delayed innovation can weaken operational advantages.
“If technology development takes so long that the world moves ahead by the time it is ready, then its purpose is lost,” he said, stressing that timely innovation is essential for national security.
The Air Chief said India’s research and development ecosystem has improved significantly, but continued efforts are required to achieve complete technological independence.
Air Force Looks Towards Navy’s Indigenous Model
Discussing defence self-reliance, Singh appreciated the Indian Navy’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding and suggested that other services, particularly the Indian Air Force, could adopt similar strategies.
He highlighted the Navy’s practice of involving its officers in shipbuilding projects from the early stages, allowing them to gain technical expertise and maintain long-term involvement in defence production.
According to Singh, a similar approach could help strengthen India’s aviation manufacturing ecosystem and accelerate the goal of becoming self-reliant in aerospace technology.
He said the Air Force is gradually moving towards greater independence in defence production, although aviation technology requires longer development cycles compared with other sectors.
“The Navy adopted the vision of self-reliance much earlier. Different sectors have different timelines, and aviation requires more time, but progress is steadily being made,” he said.
INS Malvan Reflects India’s Defence Manufacturing Progress
The Air Chief highlighted the indigenous contribution in INS Malvan, stating that the warship has around 80 per cent domestic content by value.
He described the vessel as a representation of India’s growing capabilities under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
While acknowledging that some defence components still require foreign cooperation or joint production, Singh expressed confidence that these gaps would gradually be reduced through domestic innovation.
He said strengthening local manufacturing, research capabilities and defence industries would be essential to achieving long-term strategic independence.
Growing Focus on Indigenous Defence Ecosystem
Singh praised the Navy for its continued efforts towards strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and noted that INS Malvan is the seventh warship inducted by the service this year.
He also appreciated the contribution of Cochin Shipyard and naval project teams in completing the vessel successfully.
According to him, India’s defence sector has made significant progress in recent years, but sustained efforts will be needed to compete with rapidly evolving global military technologies.
Karwar Naval Base Symbolises Strategic Vision
The commissioning ceremony took place at Naval Base Karwar, which Singh described as one of the world’s most modern naval facilities.
The base is part of Project Seabird, a major naval infrastructure programme aimed at enhancing India’s maritime operational capabilities.
Singh said the development of such advanced defence facilities reflects India’s long-term strategic planning and commitment to strengthening its position in the Indian Ocean region.
He reiterated that integrated military operations, advanced technology and indigenous production will remain central pillars of India’s defence strategy as future security challenges continue to evolve.