Calling for a review of the security environment and operational plans keeping in view the developments in Afghanistan and the neighbourhood, Mr Fernandes said he agreed that air power would play a decisive role in future conflicts. In Afghanistan, in the first phase, except for some special forces, the USA had not used any ground troops and the entire attack was carried out by the Air Force.

Mr Fernandes said he would personally ensure that that all acquisition plans for the Air Force were expedited. The Defence Minister said the developments in the region had initiated a process of re-assessment on the issues of security and threat perception the world over. ‘’We are affected even more due to the proximity of events in our neighbourhood’’.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis, who made a presentation at the beginning of the week-long conference, emphasised the need for support to increase the operational efforts and expedite the decision-making process in defence acquisitions.

He explained the complex interplay of maintenance production, aircraft availability, operational preparedness and flight safety and brought out the requirement of enhanced combat force levels to meet the emerging challenges as also to offer an effective deterrence.