“Air power will be a determining factor in our victory in any future conflict,” said IAF chief RKS Bhadauria.
New Delhi:
The current security scenario along India’s northern border is at an uneasy “no war or peace” status, the Air Force Chief of Staff said today , Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, referring to the border conflict with China in eastern Ladakh.
Addressing a conference, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also said that the Indian Air Force has reacted swiftly to the situation and is fully committed to counter any “misadventure” in the region.
“The current security scenario along our northern borders is at a difficult status without war or peace. Our defense forces are prepared for any eventuality as you know,” said the Air Force Chief of Staff. .
The IAF plans to introduce around 450 planes and helicopters over the next two decades, in addition to modernizing at least 200 to 300 planes during this period, said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria.
He also said that the recent introduction of Rafale fighter jets along with previous acquisitions of C-17 Globemaster aircraft as well as Chinook and Apache helicopters have provided the IAF with a substantial improvement in tactical and strategic capabilities.
“Air power will be a crucial catalyst in our victory in any future conflict. It is therefore imperative that the IAF obtains and maintains a technological advantage over our adversaries,” he said at the Boosting Conference. Indian aerospace industry.
Five French-made Rafale multi-role combat aircraft were inducted into the IAF on September 10. The fleet has made sorties in eastern Ladakh in recent weeks.
The IAF has already deployed almost all of its frontline fighter jets like the Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 planes to major border air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the actual line of control.
The IAF also carried out night combat air patrols over the eastern region of Ladakh in an apparent message to China that it was ready to face any eventuality in the mountainous region.
The head of the IAF said that the constitution of two squadrons of Tejas light fighter jets and the integration of some native weapons on the Su-30 MKI fighter jets in a very short period of time was the development ” most promising “, reflecting the country’s capacity to develop indigenous weapons. military equipment.
The Air Force Chief of Staff also strongly supported the indigenous development of a fifth generation aircraft.
“We strongly support the local development of a fifth generation aircraft. We have to have a single point agenda to have a fifth generation aircraft with sixth generation technology,” said the chief marshal of the Air Bhadauria, while congratulating all stakeholders in the development of the light combat aircraft. Tejas.
He also praised the Defense Research and Development Organization for its Netra early warning and airborne control system, calling it a revolutionary achievement.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also called on DRDOs and public sector defense companies to include the private sector in key projects and treat them as their own.
“Overall, we are reviewing 450 aircraft orders. This will include the helicopter fleet,” said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria.
“There can’t be a better time to energize the aerospace industry and there can’t be a better opportunity … IAF is ready to be a growth engine for the aerospace industry, you must be ready to respond to it. ‘requirement and to embark on confidence and determination,’ he declared.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
