New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS): With cyber security emerging as a top national security challenge, the Indian Air Force Tuesday began a three-day air commanders' meet to focus on bolstering the country's electronic warfare capabilities.

The commanders of the operational, training and maintenance commands of the IAF gathered here at the Vayu Bhawan Air Headquarters to participate in the three-day bi-annual conference that will focus on electronic warfare and support systems.

Inaugurating the conference, the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, said the the IAF was passing through "challenging" times and stressed that it will enhance its operational capabilities and security.

"The IAF is going through a very busy and a challenging period and our focus now, at all times must be on three priority areas - operational capability, infrastructure and security, especially in view of new inductions in the force's inventory," he said.

The meeting will conduct "a thorough review of the external and internal security situation, as also the ramifications in the next two years," the defence ministry said.

India is looking at bolstering its cyber security capabilities in a major way with a new initiative being planned to train around 500,000 cyber warriors in the next five years.

Over the next three days, the commanders would discuss key issues, relating to operations, maintenance, infrastructure development, cyber Security and most importantly, human resource development issues relating to the training of air warriors.

The worsening security situation in India's neighbourhood has triggered anxieties in the country's defence establishment.

"The present times are both interesting and challenging. The deteriorating security situation in the neighbourhood and its frequent violent manifestations are a matter of serious concern to us," Browne had said in his Air Force Day speech Oct 8.