Indian Air Force chief Tuesday said that the force has been going through a "busy" and " challenging period," just days after pointing out that the security situation in the country's neighborhood is a "matter of serious concern."

"The Indian Air Force 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," Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne told Indian Air Force commanders in the national capital.

The Air Force chief had earlier this month said the deteriorating security situation in the neighborhood and its frequent violent manifestations "are a matter of serious concern to us."

The Indian Air Force has a strength of 127,000 active personnel and over 1,361 aircraft in active service, and has been an active participant in United Nations' peacekeeping missions.