The Indian Air Force is “very much alive” to the possibility of threats arising in the Indo-Pacific region and is prepared to meet any challenge, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said on Sunday.
He acknowledged “concern” over the speed at which air force modernisation, including the induction of new equipment, was going on in the neighbourhood at a time India faced challenges arising out of “unresolved territorial disputes” and “sponsored” non-state, trans-national actors.
But India’s air force is capable of countering them, he told PTI in an interview.
Asked whether the air force could help smash terrorist training camps across the Line of Control, he did not rule it out.
“The IAF 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 air chief marshal said.
Without naming China or Pakistan, he added: “The current challenges emanate from unresolved territorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and trans-national actors who act against (India’s) national interests through the global commons.
“The IAF is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets.”
Dhanoa alluded indirectly to China’s rapid modernisation of its air force and the infrastructure development that Beijing has carried out in the Tibet Autonomous Region bordering India.
“The IAF is well equipped to take on challenges across the entire range of threats that could emanate across our borders. While there is cause for concern (about) the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in our neighbourhood, the IAF is nevertheless moving ahead with appropriate measures to cater to these new developments,” he said.
Asked whether the air force was capable of helping expand India’s geo-political influence in the Indo-Pacific region, he said it was. Dhanoa then spoke about the air force’s capabilities.
“We have the second-largest fleet of C-17s (transport aircraft) in the world. Therefore, India will pull its heft in helping out friendly nations in times of human distress and humanitarian relief,” he said.
“In addition, the IAF is very much alive to the emerging threats that could arise in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The air force has a fleet of 10 C-17 Globemasters, used for strategic airlift missions and the transport of troops and cargo for long-range missions. The US has been pushing for a greater Indian role in the Indo-Pacific, apparently in a bid to contain China’s growing clout in the region.
Last November, India, America, Australia and 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.
Dhanoa said the air force was “adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to tackle emerging 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,” he said.
“Security is no longer confined to the preservation of territorial integrity. It also encompasses a comprehensive concept including all elements of national power.”
On the air force’s modernisation plans, Dhanoa said that increasing the strength of the fighter squadrons was his top priority.
“To achieve this, the IAF 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,” he said. He also mentioned the planned induction of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft and 36 Rafale 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,” he said.