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New Delhi , November 11, 2018 15:58 IST
Updated: November 11, 2018 15:58 IST
“The Indian Air Force is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets.”
The Indian Air Force is “very much alive” to emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said on Sunday, and asserted that Indian Air force is prepared to deal with any challenge to protect Republic of India’s national interests.
Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also said there is cause for concern over the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in Republic of India’s neighbourhood, even as Republic of India faces challenges emanating from “unresolved territorial disputes” and “sponsored” non-state and transnational actors. But the Indian Air Force is capable of, and is moving ahead, for countering them effectively, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa told PTI in an interview.
Asked whether the Indian Air Force can play a role in smashing terrorist training camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa did not rule out such a possibility.
“The Indian Air Force is well equipped to take on threats which occur from across the border, be it in the realm of sub conventional or other domains,” the Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said.
Republic of India’s immediate security challenges
Referring to Republic of India’s immediate security challenges, without naming China and Pakistan, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said, “The current challenges emanate from unresolved territorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and transnational actors who act against national interests through the global commons.”
“The Indian Air Force is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa told PTI.
Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also made an indirect reference to China’s rapid modernisation of its air force and also about the infrastructure development Beijing has carried out in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) bordering India.
“The Indian Air Force is well equipped to take on challenges across the entire range of threats that could emanate across our borders. While there is a cause for concern as regards to the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in our neighbourhood, the Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is nevertheless, moving ahead with appropriate measures to cater to these new developments,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said.
Geo-political influence
Asked whether the Indian Air Force was capable of playing a role to expand Republic of India’s geo-political influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa replied in the affirmative and talked about Indian Air Force’s capabilities including having the second largest fleet of C-17s.
“Indian Air Force have the second largest fleet of C-17s in the world. Therefore, Republic of India will pull its heft in helping out friendly nations in times of human distress and humanitarian relief. In addition, the Indian Air Force is very much alive to the emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said.
At present, the Indian Air Force has a fleets of C-17 Globemasters, used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo for long-range missions.
The United States of America has been pushing for a greater role for Republic of India in the Indo-Pacific which is seen by many countries as an effort to contain China’s growing clout in the region.
In November last year, Republic of India, United States of America and Kingdom of Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.
Holistic approach
Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said the Indian Air Force was adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to deal with various security challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner.
“The gradual shift in the centre of gravity of global financial power from the West to the East has brought many challenges to the fabric of existential peace in the Asia-Pacific,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said.
“Security is no longer confined to the preservation of territorial integrity alone. It also encompasses a comprehensive concept including all elements of national power,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa added.
On Indian Air Force’s ambitious modernisation plan, the Chief of Air Staff said augmenting the fighter squadron strength is Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa top priority.
“To achieve this, theIndian Air Force is looking at new inductions and midlife upgrades. Towards this, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft are being upgraded in a phased manner in order to equip them with contemporary capabilities,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said.
Induction of Tejas
Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also mentioned the planned induction of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft and 36 jets.
“Further, case for 114 fighter aircraft is being processed under the Strategic Partnership model of DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure)-16. Other options are also being explored to build up to authorised strength at the earliest,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa added.
The Indian Air Force has already started the process to procure a batch of 114 fighter jets.
At present, the Indian Air Force has a total of 32 squadrons of fighter jets much below the authorised strength of 48 squadrons.
“The Indian Air Force is adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to tackle emerging challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner,” said the Indian Air Force chief.
