New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) The Indian armed forces have remodeled with altering occasions to fulfill the challenges of the “entire spectrum of warfare,” IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari stated on Sunday.

In his tackle at an occasion hosted right here to mark the eighth Armed Forces Veterans Day, he additionally asserted that resilient spirit, management, and imaginative and prescient of its veterans have laid the muse of right now’s armed forces.

The programme held at Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment was additionally attended by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, varied senior officers of the three Services, numerous veterans or their members of the family.

“The Indian armed forces, we will all agree, are one of the finest in the world, and have transformed with changing times to meet the challenges of the entire spectrum of warfare,” he stated.

The Indian Air Force, particularly, has grown from a really modest starting nearly 90 years in the past, to being “one of the most formidable air forces in the world”, the IAF chief stated.

This has been doable solely via the “sustained efforts and yeoman services” rendered by the forces’ veterans through the years, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari added.

“I acknowledge with gratitude the sterling contributions made by all our veterans, whose resilient spirit, leadership, and vision have laid the foundation of today’s armed forces,” he stated.

Today can also be a day to poignantly bear in mind all of the veterans who laid down their lives for the nation, the IAF chief stated, including, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty”.

The IAF, the youngest of the Services, is simply 91-years-old. And, as of December 31, 2023, “we have on record, 2,21,204 veterans,” he stated.

The IAF chief shared that it has been a diligent effort to achieve out to each veteran.

“I am aware there are teething issues, we are taking up these issues constantly with the service providers and the Controller General of Defence Accounts,” he stated.

In his tackle, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari additionally shared some knowledge relating to SPARSH and different initiatives.

The System for Pension Administration (Raksha) or SPARSH is a web-based system for processing pension claims and crediting the pension immediately into financial institution accounts of defence pensioners with none exterior middleman.

“In the year gone by, 1.85 lakh legacy pensioners have been migrated onto SPARSH,” the IAF chief stated.

The Navy chief, in his tackle, underlined the contribution made by the veterans to the armed forces.

“I can say with conviction that our armed forces of today are a product of the visionary leadership, unflinching efforts and selfless service of our veterans. I would like to assure each and every one of you that we will leave no water uncharted in carrying forward this legacy,” Admiral Kumar stated.

So, in direction of that finish, Navy’s efforts have been targeted on being a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof pressure, he stated.

“While pursuing our many operational commitments, the ‘Bharatiya Nav Sena’ remains committed to ensuring the welfare of our ex-servicemen,” the Navy chief added.

The Navy has been following a multi-pronged strategy of proactive outreach, constructive interplay, and protracted communication to deal with varied points confronted by our veteran neighborhood, Admiral Kumar stated.

He famous that the outreach programme has been expanded.

“We are aware that the serving Navy is a transit Navy, while the veteran Navy is a permanent Navy, that is where finally all of us will reach,” the Navy chief stated.

The Indian Navy is privileged to have the persevering with advantage of “your experience and wisdom”, and, it appears to be like ahead to “your invaluable guidance, unstinted support and forthright suggestions to help us better address issues faced by both the services as well as the veteran community,” he added.