Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
India

Indian Air Force Ready For Two-front War With China, Pakistan: Air Chief BS Dhanoa

IANS, 05 Oct, 2017 04:39 PM
    The Indian Air Force is capable of effectively countering any threat from China while engaging in a two-front war also involving Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Thursday and indicated that tension still prevailed between Chinese and Indian troops in Dokalam. 
     
    “The two sides are not in a physical face-off as we speak. However, their forces in Chumbi Valley are still deployed and I expect them to withdraw as their exercise in the area gets over,” said Dhanoa.
     
    “We have a draft nuclear doctrine. It is answered in that — what happens when the enemy decides to use nuclear weapons on us. As far as the IAF is concerned, it has the ability to locate, fix and strike and that is not only for tactical nuclear weapons but for other targets across the border (as well),” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
     
     
    On the presence of Chinese troops in the Chumbi valley, he said: “Their (Chinese) forces are still deployed in the Chumbi valley. We expect these forces to withdraw as exercises get over.”
     
     
    The valley lies east of Sikkim and was the site of the 74-day military standoff between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China at Doklam plateau. 
     
     
    On being asked about concerns over Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons and whether the IAF would be able to disarm Islamabad of its nuclear arsenals if necessary, Dhanoa said his force had the capability of locating, fixing and striking across the border.
     
     
    On whether the IAF provided any support to the Army for the surgical strike last year and during the Dokalam face-off, the IAF chief said, “Whatever was asked from the air force was provided”. He refused to share further details.
     
     
    The IAF chief, however, said no air force assets were involved during the Myanmar operation and the surgical strike across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir last year. “The IAF is prepared to fight at a short notice in full synergy with the other two sister services should the need arise,” he said, adding that the force was in a high state of readiness to fight a war.
     
     
    About a possible confrontation with China, he said India’s air power was “adequate”. At the same time, he talked about what China could or could not do from Tibet. “Our capability is adequate,” he said. The IAF chief also spoke on a range of issues including steps being taken to enhance the strike capability of the force including the acquisition of S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile systems from Russia and 36 Rafale combat jets.
     
     
    He said the contract for five S-400 missile systems would be signed soon and their delivery would start two years after the deal was struck.
     
     
    The IAF chief also talked about the mid-life upgrading of Mirage 2000, Mig 29s and Jaguar fleets, adding that the IAF was working to fully achieving a network-centric operational capability.
     
     
    Dhanoa said a proposal for 83 indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Mark I was being finalised. “These men and women under my command are confident of taking on any threat and are fully prepared to undertake the full spectrum of air operations and respond to any challenge in the most befitting manner,” said Dhanoa.
     
     
    When asked about the Army chief’s two-and-half front war comment also referring to internal security threats, Dhanoa said, “As a democracy we don’t use kinetic air power against our own people.”

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Interpol Warrants Against 4 Indian-Origin Businessmen Over Rs 2.5-Billion Rare Diamond

    Interpol Warrants Against 4 Indian-Origin Businessmen Over Rs 2.5-Billion Rare Diamond
    A red notice is an international alert by Interpol seeking the location and arrest of a wanted person for extradition.

    Interpol Warrants Against 4 Indian-Origin Businessmen Over Rs 2.5-Billion Rare Diamond

    Chinese Troops Attempt To Cross LAC At Ladakh, Stopped By Indian Army

    Chinese Troops Attempt To Cross LAC At Ladakh, Stopped By Indian Army
    A brief scuffle between Indian and Chinese troops was reported from Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, informed sources said, even as the Army officials in Delhi refused comment.

    Chinese Troops Attempt To Cross LAC At Ladakh, Stopped By Indian Army

    Five Killed As Himachal Bus Falls Into Gorge

    Five Killed As Himachal Bus Falls Into Gorge
    Five persons were killed and nine others injured on Tuesday when a government bus parked on a roadside rolled down into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, police said.

    Five Killed As Himachal Bus Falls Into Gorge

    India Opens First Partition Museum 70 Years After The Bloody And Painful Event

    India Opens First Partition Museum 70 Years After The Bloody And Painful Event
    A new museum on the Partition of the Indian subcontinent opens this week, as the two South Asian giants India and Pakistan mark seven decades as independent nations.

    India Opens First Partition Museum 70 Years After The Bloody And Painful Event

    Week After Varnika Incident, Another Woman Complains Of Being Stalked In Chandigarh

    Week After Varnika Incident, Another Woman Complains Of Being Stalked In Chandigarh
    Barely over a week after the incident of stalking of an IAS officer’s daughter here, another woman has complained of being chased by three men in a car.

    Week After Varnika Incident, Another Woman Complains Of Being Stalked In Chandigarh

    Chandigarh Girl, 12, Raped On Way To School For Independence Day Event

    Chandigarh Girl, 12, Raped On Way To School For Independence Day Event
    A 12-year-old girl student of a government school in Sector 23 was allegedly raped by a middle-aged man suspected to be a drug addict, at Children Traffic Park in Sector 23 on Tuesday morning.

    Chandigarh Girl, 12, Raped On Way To School For Independence Day Event