Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has reaffirmed the enduring role of manned aircraft in future warfare, countering Elon Musk’s claims that drones will replace them, and emphasized that global projects like the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance program continue to focus on manned platforms. Speaking at the 93rd Air Force Day, Singh acknowledged the growing importance of unmanned systems but insisted they would complement rather than replace manned fighters, highlighting the necessity of human oversight in combat. He noted the IAF’s operational successes, including Operation Sindoor, while dismissing Pakistani claims of Indian jets being shot down as unfounded, and stressed that India is strengthening capabilities along its northern borders through new air bases and advanced landing grounds, outlining a strategic vision that balances manned and unmanned systems while ensuring India stays at the forefront of aerial combat technology.