Highlighting that these platforms have export potential, he said setting up joint ventures with these countries can be mutually beneficial. He added this could include jointly developing components, sharing production facilities, creation of regional maintenance and support hubs.

He said there is a need to focus on capability development in global supply chains, manufacturing hubs and establishing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, along with joint research and development projects, defence innovation and technological exchange.

Speaking on the relevance of air power and the need for the IAF to act as a catalyst for progress, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the collective advancement of the Global South, he said the IAF’s increased footprint during regular training engagements with partner nations has resulted in sharing of best practices in operations and maintenance.

Speaking about the role played by Indian Military Advisory Teams and courses offered through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, which had paved the way for increased cooperation by conducting training for more than 200,000 officials in both the civil and defence sector, he said in the past 9 years, IAF had trained more than 5,000 foreign trainees from countries of the Global South.

“We have increased the footprint of training and cooperation with these nations,” he said.

Highlighting the IAF’s long tradition of training air force cadets from Global South nations, he said India’s rise in the Global South marks a pivotal point in international affairs and India has given a voice to the countries. He said India had championed their concerns during its G20 presidency.

He said it is important to identify contemporary security challenges faced by India and the Global South, and terrorism, cyber threats, regional conflict and other shared concerns should be discussed on a common platform.

He said the landscape of international relations is constantly shifting and traditional power structures are increasingly being challenged by new players.

“The threat of global conflict looms large, fuelled by ideological divisions, resource scarcity and climate change. This has created interconnected challenges like economic disparity and resource exploitation,” he said.

The IAF chief observed that black swan events like Covid-19, and other global conflicts have aggravated the situation.

The event also included the launch of two books: Indian Air Power: Contemporary and Future Dynamics by Air Marshal (Dr) Diptendu Choudhury (retd) and Aeroengine Fundamentals and Landscape in India: A Way Forward by Air Vice Marshal Suresh Singh.