IAF To Up Firepower To Counter China Threat

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to enhance its strike capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region keeping an eye on the increasing Chinese presence to augment the Indian Navy's strength by inducting Sukhoi fighter jets armed with lethal BrahMos missile in the newly set up squadron based in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

- Abhishek Bhalla

The new squadron will initially have five to six fighter jets but gradually it will operate with full strength. Each squadron has 18 aircraft.

The induction will happen on January 20, 2020.

The Su-30 has a range of 1,200 km and with addition 300 in range of the BrahMos it can strike at locations deep inside the Indian Ocean Region.

“This will be the first lethal squadron to be set up in the Southern Command,” an IAF official said.