Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani paid his maiden visit to the Headquarters of the Western Air Command (WAC), where he interacted with senior Indian Air Force leadership and officers to discuss the future trajectory of India’s military transformation.
During the visit, the CDS was received by Air Marshal George Thomas, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command. He was briefed on the command’s operational responsibilities, readiness levels and ongoing capability enhancement initiatives.
Addressing officers at the headquarters, General Subramani underscored the transformative power of JAI — Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation, describing these three pillars as critical to building a modern, integrated and future-ready military force.
The CDS highlighted the growing importance of joint operations and inter-service integration in addressing emerging security challenges. He stressed that enhanced synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force remains essential for strengthening India’s defence preparedness and operational effectiveness.
Emphasising the significance of self-reliance in defence, General Subramani reiterated the need to accelerate indigenous capability development and technological innovation in line with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He encouraged continued efforts to leverage domestic expertise and innovation to reduce dependence on foreign defence technologies.
The CDS also highlighted Human Resource Capital as the ultimate force multiplier, noting that the strength, professionalism and adaptability of military personnel remain the foundation of combat effectiveness. He emphasised the importance of investing in leadership development, training and skill enhancement to prepare the Armed Forces for future operational environments.
The visit reflected the growing focus on jointness, technological advancement and self-reliance as key drivers of India’s military modernisation efforts. It also reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces towards building an integrated and capable defence force prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving security landscape.
