Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said IAF has the capability to “shoot first and strike deep & hard," and added that "we (IAF) are very well-positioned," referring to the 150-day long border standoff with China.
"No question of China getting the better of us in any conflict scenario; we are fully capable of taking on the adversary," the IAF chief said during an interaction with media ahead of 88th Air Force Day, in the national capital. He was responding to the IAF's level of preparation in Ladakh. The IAF play a major role in army requirement of rapid mobilisation with its airlift capability.
On the newly inducted Rafale fighter jets, he said the omnirole fighter provides the IAF a technological edge. “It gives the ability to strike first and strike deep and hard even in a contested air space,” he said.
The IAF inducted five Rafale jets in its oldest airbase in Ambala in Haryana last month, and five more are scheduled to arrive by early next month. "Next year, the first squadron would be ready, and by 2023, both the squadrons (36 planes) would be ready and inducted," he said. The IAF chief also ruled out immediate possibility of additional Rafale jets, as they are concentrating on indigenous fighter jets. "At the moment the focus is on 83 LCA MK1 A. Then we will focus on the 114, and then more versions of the LCA and AMCA," he said while indicating that the Air Force is targeting close to 450 'Make in India' aircraft in next 10-15 years.
The Air Chief Marshal clarified that at no point the IAF came close to an air strike against China in the last five months, especially after Galwan clash, but added, " yes, we were prepared."
Talking about the collusive threat, IAF chief made it clear that the world's fourth largest Air Force is fully prepared to meet all contingencies, including a two-front war with China and Pakistan. “We are aware they (China and Pakistan) are cooperating closely. There is significant threat, but so far there is no such indication that they are colluding for a two-front war," the IAF chief said.
In response to question on the Chinese air force (PLAAF) using Skardu airbase in PoK, Air Chief said," If China needs to take Pakistan's help to confront us, I have nothing to say."
Talking about operating from DBO (Daulat Beg Oldi) airfield in eastern Ladakh, the IAF chief s said, "DBO airfield is a big threat for Chinese."
On Saturday, while inaugurating the strategic Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the previous governments did not allow IAF to operate from DBO. On this, IAF Chief clarified saying, "The airfield was under infrastructure upgrades and was not operationally required."
Asked if India's estimation of China was correct, he said the adversary could not be underestimated as it had made huge investment in military technology. "No question of underestimating Chinese air force's capabilities, they have their own areas of strength.”
He admitted that PLA Air Force's strengths include surface-to-air systems in the Ladakh theatre, air-launched long distance weapons, and J-20 fifth generation fighter with advanced sensors and weapons. "They have long missile systems. We cater to those in our matrix....we can take on that threat."
While hoping that the talks between the military commanders progress on expected lines, the IAF chief said, "The current progress (by China) is an effort to dig on for the winter... we too are taking actions to step up air assets."
So far, six rounds of military commander level talks have happened between the two sides to defuse the tension on the eastern Ladakh, and the next round is expected on October 12. During the sixth round of talks on September 21, for the first time both sides issued a joint statement and agreed to “stop sending more troops to frontline” and “refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground.”
Responding to the development of US military jets deployments in the region, the IAF chief clarified, "no one will fight our wars for us. We have to do it ourselves. Cannot count on anyone else."
