BY: PTI
The first Indian Air Force (IAF) controlled satellite that will be used to gather navigational information will be put in space in July 2009.
Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major who, described the proposed satellite as the IAF eye in the skies, said today that it would basically be used to gather navigational information which would help IAF positioning.
The Air Chief who was interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a University of Pune function, said similar satellites of almost all major countries are already operating to collect necessary data.
Earlier, the Air Chief Mashal Major, who delivered the annual Gen B.C. Joshi memorial lecture at the university, said, "Our plans for future expansion have made it inevitable that we would have to utilize the realm of space."
He said," While I am not a die-hard proponent of weaponisation of space, I am convinced that harnessing the capabilities that space provides, creates a force multiplier effect and increases effectiveness of our operations manifold."
Noting that India has a well developed Space programme Air Chief Major said it was his intention to harness the capability that space based assets provide and put in place structures and mechanisms to exploit enhanced capability.
He said that the IAF was in the process of a very comprehensive and focused modernization programme. The Air Force is at varying stages of in the induction of a wide range of equipment including all types of aircraft ,weapons, missiles, sensors and communication equipment, he added.
"We are even upgrading our airfield infrastructure
, laboratories and other facilities on an immense scale and in a systematic and methodical manner," Air Chief stated.
Referring to the spate of joint exercises IAF has undertaken of late, the Air Chief said,"We acquitted ourselves very well earning professional admiration in the recently held Exercise Red Flag held at Nellis in the USA. It is a very complex operational level exercise, usually for NATO countries alone."
"It is clear that in order to maintain stability and equilibrium in our neighbourhood, it is essential for India to possess a strong military force," the Air Chief said, adding in the same breath that "I am not for a moment advocating any kind of aggressive tendencies".
But a serious study of balance of power equations amongst States makes it amply clear that only credible deterrence can be an Effective Stabilizer, he asserted.
Analysing India's neighbourhood environment in this context, Air Chief Major said to the West and North-West of us Iraq and Afghanistan continue to simmer with ongoing conflicts. The Central Asian states remain turbulent with increasing instability as they come to terms with the decline of erstwhile USSR and the emergence of a New Russia.
He said Pakistan with a newly installed Democratic government remains a source of concern to all of us and Nepal with a new form of governance continues to be susceptible to violence.
China plays a strategic game and seeks to be a regional power, competing with India in every sphere, he said.
Referring to the nuclear dimension, the Air Chief Marshal Major said it was the most visible and important factor and the fact that our neighbourhood has nuclear capability and long range delivery platforms, introduces a very dynamic variable in our relations.
Later when asked where India stood as regards its role as a Regional power vis-a-vis that of China, the Air Chief replied,"We are doing pretty well."
The first Indian Air Force (IAF) controlled satellite that will be used to gather navigational information will be put in space in July 2009.
Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major who, described the proposed satellite as the IAF eye in the skies, said today that it would basically be used to gather navigational information which would help IAF positioning.
The Air Chief who was interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a University of Pune function, said similar satellites of almost all major countries are already operating to collect necessary data.
Earlier, the Air Chief Mashal Major, who delivered the annual Gen B.C. Joshi memorial lecture at the university, said, "Our plans for future expansion have made it inevitable that we would have to utilize the realm of space."
He said," While I am not a die-hard proponent of weaponisation of space, I am convinced that harnessing the capabilities that space provides, creates a force multiplier effect and increases effectiveness of our operations manifold."
Noting that India has a well developed Space programme Air Chief Major said it was his intention to harness the capability that space based assets provide and put in place structures and mechanisms to exploit enhanced capability.
He said that the IAF was in the process of a very comprehensive and focused modernization programme. The Air Force is at varying stages of in the induction of a wide range of equipment including all types of aircraft ,weapons, missiles, sensors and communication equipment, he added.
"We are even upgrading our airfield infrastructure
, laboratories and other facilities on an immense scale and in a systematic and methodical manner," Air Chief stated.
Referring to the spate of joint exercises IAF has undertaken of late, the Air Chief said,"We acquitted ourselves very well earning professional admiration in the recently held Exercise Red Flag held at Nellis in the USA. It is a very complex operational level exercise, usually for NATO countries alone."
"It is clear that in order to maintain stability and equilibrium in our neighbourhood, it is essential for India to possess a strong military force," the Air Chief said, adding in the same breath that "I am not for a moment advocating any kind of aggressive tendencies".
But a serious study of balance of power equations amongst States makes it amply clear that only credible deterrence can be an Effective Stabilizer, he asserted.
Analysing India's neighbourhood environment in this context, Air Chief Major said to the West and North-West of us Iraq and Afghanistan continue to simmer with ongoing conflicts. The Central Asian states remain turbulent with increasing instability as they come to terms with the decline of erstwhile USSR and the emergence of a New Russia.
He said Pakistan with a newly installed Democratic government remains a source of concern to all of us and Nepal with a new form of governance continues to be susceptible to violence.
China plays a strategic game and seeks to be a regional power, competing with India in every sphere, he said.
Referring to the nuclear dimension, the Air Chief Marshal Major said it was the most visible and important factor and the fact that our neighbourhood has nuclear capability and long range delivery platforms, introduces a very dynamic variable in our relations.
Later when asked where India stood as regards its role as a Regional power vis-a-vis that of China, the Air Chief replied,"We are doing pretty well."
