Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, IAF Chief, on Wednesday cited the examples of Venezuela and Iraq being targeted by the US to argue that military power remains the ultimate arbiter of national strength.

“Military power stands as the ultimate arbiter of national power. All instruments of national power will take you nowhere if you do not have a strong military,” the IAF Chief said while addressing the 22nd Subroto Mukerjee Seminar.

Referring to the rapidly changing global scenario, he added, “A nation can be economically strong, but that does not guarantee security.”

“The whole idea is to use comprehensive national power to impose your will over other nations, while ensuring that no other nation can impose its will on us,” he said.

“Military power is important, but even more important is the will to use that power. Without the will, restraint is seen as weakness. Only when you are strong enough does restraint reflect capability,” he added.

Highlighting India’s gap in cutting-edge technology, Air Chief Marshal Singh said the country needed strategic partnerships to develop next-generation platforms. “We need to catch up with technology. Maybe we can do it alone, but it will take longer,” he said.

He cited the example of strategic tie-ups in aero-engine manufacturing — a reference likely to the partnership between French engine-maker Safran and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

On military preparedness, the IAF Chief said, “We must manage our immediate requirements. We need to assess what we require today and over the next 10 years, and focus on those priorities.”

Meanwhile, speaking at another session, Additional Director General (Strategic Communications), Indian Army, Major General Sandeep Sharda said during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan spread deepfakes, doctored videos and misinformation through official channels and press conferences.

He said Pakistan deployed a large network of YouTube channels, X accounts and government handles to