Soumya_india
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The Indian Air Force is planning massive infrastructure development in the strategic region bordering China including stationing of two more Su30 squadrons and developing six advanced landing grounds in the northeast but said it is in "no race to beat somebody".
With Chabua and Tezpur in Assam already having a squadron each of the Sukhoi fighter jets, IAF vice chief designate Air Marshal K K Nohwar today said two more Su30 squadrons would be deployed in the region by 2014-15.
Asked by reporters if India was trying to match the developments on the Chinese side, he said, "We are in no race to beat somebody. But the force and the bases the IAF is developing is adequate to meet any threat in future."
IAF has also taken over six Advanced Landing Grounds ? Tuting, Menchuka, Along, Passighat, Vijaynagar and Ziro - from the Arunachal Pradesh government for upgrading, he said.
"The work has just started, and it will take about two years to complete," Nohwar told his last press conference as the AoC-in-C of Eastern Air Command here.
According to him, once the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal is through, the Air Force would deploy some of the squadrons in the eastern sector besides some medium lift helicopters.
He said Remotely Piloted Aircraft would also arrive in the sector in the next few years.
"Old radars are being replaced with new ones. More radars will be inducted. Keeping in mind the terrain, lots of places have been identified and a standard deployment pattern is being followed. This will ensure best possible coverage to detect any hostile threat," the Air Marshal, who will take over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff on August 1, said.
IAF to develop infrastructure along China border
Besides, the military is developing two helipads at Tawang and Walong in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.
When told about reports of Chinese airplanes chasing an US spy aircraft over Taiwan recently and apprehension that there could be similar manoeuvres in Indian skies, Nohwar said, "Let me assure you, if any of our neighbours try to intrude into our air space, it will meet the same fate as that met the Atlantic in the Rann of Kutch (in 1999)."
He was referring to the shooting down of a Pakistan Navy patrol aircraft 'Atlantic' by IAF MiG-21s after it failed to force it to land at an Indian base over the Rann of Kutch.
"Lessons learnt from the past are also taken into account while deciding on the force levels. The present force level is adequate to meet any emerging threat in future," Nohwar said.
"Military appreciation is done from time to time taking into account the position you are holding, the kind of terrain and the concept of operation in case of a future skirmish."
Noting that the Mi21s have been phased out except for a squadron at Kalaikunda, he said, most of the semi-permanent infrastructure was being changed and developed keeping in mind the climatic conditions in the region.
On the advanced landing grounds, he said, "Once these ALGs are commissioned, fixed-wing aircraft like AN 32 which can carry much larger loads than choppers can land. There will also be an opportunity for military aircraft to land there."
IAF to develop infrastructure along China border!
With Chabua and Tezpur in Assam already having a squadron each of the Sukhoi fighter jets, IAF vice chief designate Air Marshal K K Nohwar today said two more Su30 squadrons would be deployed in the region by 2014-15.
Asked by reporters if India was trying to match the developments on the Chinese side, he said, "We are in no race to beat somebody. But the force and the bases the IAF is developing is adequate to meet any threat in future."
IAF has also taken over six Advanced Landing Grounds ? Tuting, Menchuka, Along, Passighat, Vijaynagar and Ziro - from the Arunachal Pradesh government for upgrading, he said.
"The work has just started, and it will take about two years to complete," Nohwar told his last press conference as the AoC-in-C of Eastern Air Command here.
According to him, once the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal is through, the Air Force would deploy some of the squadrons in the eastern sector besides some medium lift helicopters.
He said Remotely Piloted Aircraft would also arrive in the sector in the next few years.
"Old radars are being replaced with new ones. More radars will be inducted. Keeping in mind the terrain, lots of places have been identified and a standard deployment pattern is being followed. This will ensure best possible coverage to detect any hostile threat," the Air Marshal, who will take over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff on August 1, said.
IAF to develop infrastructure along China border
Besides, the military is developing two helipads at Tawang and Walong in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.
When told about reports of Chinese airplanes chasing an US spy aircraft over Taiwan recently and apprehension that there could be similar manoeuvres in Indian skies, Nohwar said, "Let me assure you, if any of our neighbours try to intrude into our air space, it will meet the same fate as that met the Atlantic in the Rann of Kutch (in 1999)."
He was referring to the shooting down of a Pakistan Navy patrol aircraft 'Atlantic' by IAF MiG-21s after it failed to force it to land at an Indian base over the Rann of Kutch.
"Lessons learnt from the past are also taken into account while deciding on the force levels. The present force level is adequate to meet any emerging threat in future," Nohwar said.
"Military appreciation is done from time to time taking into account the position you are holding, the kind of terrain and the concept of operation in case of a future skirmish."
Noting that the Mi21s have been phased out except for a squadron at Kalaikunda, he said, most of the semi-permanent infrastructure was being changed and developed keeping in mind the climatic conditions in the region.
On the advanced landing grounds, he said, "Once these ALGs are commissioned, fixed-wing aircraft like AN 32 which can carry much larger loads than choppers can land. There will also be an opportunity for military aircraft to land there."
IAF to develop infrastructure along China border!
