Rajnath Singh urges IAF to focus on cyber resilience and domain awareness

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday told Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel to maintain the highest level of operational readiness by focusing on domain awareness, cyber resilience, and information integrity to counter emerging threats. He emphasised these critical points while interacting with Air Force personnel on the eve of Diwali at the Bagdogra Air Force Station in West Bengal.

Rajnath Singh stated that enemies are now attempting more to exploit vulnerabilities rather than engaging in direct conflict. Speaking on the changing nature of warfare, he said, "Warfare is no longer limited to cross-border firing. It has now expanded significantly to include asymmetric warfare, proxy wars, cyber attacks, drone swarms, information operations, and narrative management."

The Defence Minister specifically cautioned against misleading information spread through social media. He warned that social media is being used to create doubt in the minds of the local population and soldiers. He added, "Often, the adversary avoids direct conflict and instead tries to exploit our vulnerabilities. Through social media, the enemy may attempt to create doubt in the minds of local people and our soldiers by spreading misleading information. In such a situation, your role is more extended than that of an ordinary soldier."

Speaking on the importance of the Bagdogra area, Rajnath Singh described it as a strategically vital region and a decisive link in India's security framework, especially for the North-Eastern sector. He praised the courage and dedication of the defence personnel in protecting national interests. He stated that the air warriors deployed in this region act as a strong shield for the security of the Eastern sector and their readiness is a fundamental requirement for maintaining stability in this region.

Additionally, the Defence Minister urged the soldiers to further strengthen their connection with the local population of Bagdogra and its surroundings. He emphasised the need to cultivate deep relationships of trust and affection between the people and the defence forces. He said, "The more you connect with the local community, the weaker the enemy's conspiracies will become."

According to a BusinessLine report, Rajnath Singh interacted with military officers during this visit and boosted the morale of the personnel on the occasion of Diwali. He clarified that in modern warfare, not only physical strength but also the veracity of information and cyber security are equally important.