<p> President Pranab Mukherjee Friday said that an effective deterrence and a strong defence capability were essential for the country to ensure peace.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Addressing a gathering after presenting colours to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) and the Chandigarh-based 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here Friday, Mukherjee said India needed to be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard itself with all its might.<br /><br />Praising the role of the Indian Air Force (IAF), he said the force had always risen admirably in defence of the nation.<br /><br />"As our country moves ahead on the path of economic progress, it is essential to preserve peace for which we need to maintain an effective deterrence and a strong defence capability," he said. <br /><br />"As a nation, we are fully committed to maintaining peace and we are steadfast in our belief that the resolution of disputes should be through discussion. <br /><br />"But at the same time, we would need to be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard our territorial integrity with all our might, and the IAF has a critical role to play in this effort. <br /><br />"They have in the past risen admirably in defence of our nation with valour, courage, devotion and fearlessness," Mukherjee said.<br /><br />Earlier, the president, here on a day-long visit, presented colours to AFCME and the 3 BRD at a ceremony here.<br /><br />The AFCME is a premier medical establishment of the IAF. The unit was established by the Royal Air Force as the Central Medical Board at Lahore in 1940. <br /><br />It deals with the standardized procedures for selection and subsequent medical assessment of aircrew.<br /><br />The 3 Base Repair Depot, which completed 50 years of service last year, was set up in 1962. It is the IAF's major repair and maintenance support unit.<br /><br /></p>
<p> President Pranab Mukherjee Friday said that an effective deterrence and a strong defence capability were essential for the country to ensure peace.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Addressing a gathering after presenting colours to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) and the Chandigarh-based 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here Friday, Mukherjee said India needed to be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard itself with all its might.<br /><br />Praising the role of the Indian Air Force (IAF), he said the force had always risen admirably in defence of the nation.<br /><br />"As our country moves ahead on the path of economic progress, it is essential to preserve peace for which we need to maintain an effective deterrence and a strong defence capability," he said. <br /><br />"As a nation, we are fully committed to maintaining peace and we are steadfast in our belief that the resolution of disputes should be through discussion. <br /><br />"But at the same time, we would need to be prepared to face any aggression and safeguard our territorial integrity with all our might, and the IAF has a critical role to play in this effort. <br /><br />"They have in the past risen admirably in defence of our nation with valour, courage, devotion and fearlessness," Mukherjee said.<br /><br />Earlier, the president, here on a day-long visit, presented colours to AFCME and the 3 BRD at a ceremony here.<br /><br />The AFCME is a premier medical establishment of the IAF. The unit was established by the Royal Air Force as the Central Medical Board at Lahore in 1940. <br /><br />It deals with the standardized procedures for selection and subsequent medical assessment of aircrew.<br /><br />The 3 Base Repair Depot, which completed 50 years of service last year, was set up in 1962. It is the IAF's major repair and maintenance support unit.<br /><br /></p>