Addressing a news conference on his first visit here after he was designated to take over as IAF chief from Jan 1, Tyagi said the force had a long-term vision spanning two decades.

"I am going to focus on the vision that already exists. As we go along, the vision changes gradually. But the changes are fine-tuning of the vision.

"Fundamentals don't change. The country's foreign policy does not change just because another party comes to power," Tyagi said.

Though the IAF vision document is spread over 20 years with long gestation periods, the force's chief does not serve more than three years, in keeping with government rules.

"Since the vision is of an organization, individuals cannot have a separate vision. If the vision were to change every two to three years, then the IAF will be in serious trouble.

"It has to be a collective vision with a collective wisdom," Tyagi said.

"The IAF is, however, on the right path. We have put on the vision document and it will be my endeavour to continue on that path as the areas of focus cannot be changed every two to three years," he remarked.

Referring to the future role of the IAF, Tyagi, who currently heads the vital Western Air Command, said his force was technologically ahead of many other organisations the world over.

"We not only fly aircraft, but operate immensely sophisticated equipment like radars, weapon systems and communication systems. We are also graduating from warfare to conduct reconnaissance flights at 75,000-80,000 feet.

"Modern warfare is moving into another plane to fly even at 100,000 feet and going out of the atmosphere into outer space," he said.

--Indo-Asian News Service