NEW DELHI: The Defence Minister AK Antony has said funds allocated for modernization of the Armed Forces must be utilized in such a manner that wastage and duplication are avoided.

Inaugurating the Bi-Annual Air Force Commanders Conference here Monday, Antony also called upon the Defence Scientists to evolve ways to skip the intermediate steps in our quest for attaining the level of modernization achieved by developed countries.

"Funds will not be a constraint for the modernisation process. However, the allocated funds must be utilized optimally and judiciously. While the drive for modernization must not suffer, we must be ever mindful for economy and avoid waste and duplication. At the same time, we must ensure that the twin processes of modernization and indigenization proceed apace simultaneously.

"I therefore, urge the scientific fraternity to think of ways and means to attain the levels of modernization achieved by advanced states, without necessarily having to follow all the intermediate steps", he said.

The four-day Conference being attended by the top brass of Indian Air Force including the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal FH Major, Air Officers Commanding in Chiefs of IAF Commands and Principal Staff Officers of Air Headquarters is discussing operational challenges before the Air Force. Issues such as maintenance, flight safety, administrative and logistics will be discussed thread bare at the conference.

Briefly touching upon the country's neighbourhood, Antony said 'we want to take peace process with Pakistan further, but at the same time we must maintain eternal vigil on all fronts'. He said, New Delhi wishes to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence, free from violence and terror, in our bilateral relations with all our neighbours and is working on confidence building measures towards this objective. 'We continue to support the process to help Afghanistan emerge as a stable democratic State.'

Giving a broad overview of changing security dimensions across the globe, Antony said Geopolitics and Strategic Objectives of nations are increasingly being power driven by economic interests.

"With latest technological advancements fuelling military capabilities, the type and level of future conflicts is rapidly changing from overt to covert warfare. In the present strategic environment, the term security has therefore, assumed a far greater criticality in the realm of trade and energy, than ever before".

Antony complimented Indian Air Force for the highest standard of their professionalism both at times of war and peace. He recalled the humanitarian assistance and relief by IAF during natural calamities both at home and abroad.

He also lauded the stellar role of IAF in providing assistance to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of legitimate Governments of friendly nations.

"The contribution of various IAF teams in support of UN Peace Keeping missions at Congo and Sudan has been highly appreciated in the international arena. Such missions contribute immensely in building a global image of India – one that has paid us rich dividends", he added.

The Defence Minister assured the top brass of Indian Air Force that the Government will take all measures to ensure that the IAF's capabilities are in consonance with India's stature, aspirations and threat perceptions.

 "Our endeavour is to significantly enhance not only the strategic reach of IAF, but also attempt a fusion of potent capabilities in terms of space-based assets, air defence, surveillance, modern aircraft and advanced weapon systems", he said.
 
Antony complimented Indian Air Force for taking effective measures to bring down accident rates. He called upon the Commanders to devise proactive measures to enhance flight safety further.

The Defence Minister called upon the Air Force Commanders to constantly monitor the statutory and non-statutory complaints so that timely redressal is possible for all concern.

"The Promotion Boards should be transparent and objective. Since Air Force Commanders deliberate on the personal profiles of officers in the zone of consideration, I would like to suggest that you should keep various aspects related to the profiles of officers, keeping their meritorious record in view, so that there are no inconsistencies while grading the officers. Cases of supersession should have sufficient justification which should be clearly pointed out", he said.