New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- India's new chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, on Sunday outlined the Indian Air Force's top priorities, placing the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), expected to enter service shortly, alongside the LCA Mk-2 and advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) programmes at the forefront of its modernisation drive. Restoring the IAF's combat strength through a renewed push for indigenisation will be his "foremost task," Dixit said, as the air force grapples with a critical shortage of fighter aircraft. In his first public comments after taking over as the 29th IAF chief, Dixit said, "The Tejas Mk-1A and Mk-2, AMCA (a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet), and Indian weapons and sensors are our highest priority. We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers that meet our operational demands. Our responsibility is to fight and win, but most importantly it is to deter conflict through credible air power." Dixit, an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor, took over as IAF chief from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday. He outlined his vision for the IAF's future using the acronym "VAYU": V for vigilance and readiness, A for atmanirbharta (self-reliance), Y for yukti (ingenuity) and U for unity of effort. The IAF chief underscored the importance of vigilance and combat readiness. "Every squadron, every radar, every air defence unit along with each and every air warrior must be ready to respond at a moment's notice. Restoring our combat strength towards the sanctioned level will be my foremost task."...