“RESPONSE TO THE STAND-OFF ALONG THE LAC IS INDICATIVE OF OUR OPERATIONAL STATE”

Coming decade will see 114 MRFA fructify and a significant boost in AWACS, AEW&C capabilities, ISR, and aerial refueling capability. Enhanced air combat capabilities with sixth-generation technologies including Directed Energy Weapons, Smart Wingman concept, optionally manned combat platforms, swarm drones, hypersonic weapons will be added to the arsenal of the Indian Air Force.

- NEETU DHULIA

‘IAF IS TRANSFORMING AT A RAPID PACE AND OVER THE YEARS we have grown’, speaking at a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day celebrations, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said that the emerging security scenario in our neighborhood and beyond mandates a need to have a robust capability to fight across the entire spectrum of warfare. He stated with confidence that operationally we are amongst the best and our position as a credible combat-ready force is vital given the role Air Force will play towards ensuring victory in any future conflict.

He acknowledged the advent of future warfare and new threats and said that ‘the matrix of threat is complex, apart from sub-conventional threats emanating from terrorism and cyberspace, disruptive technologies and drones are making the threat picture even more complex, particularly in the sub-conventional domain’.

The Air Force has continued to scale up the combat capability through modernisation and operational training with an inclination on indigenous equipment to achieve self-reliance and strategic autonomy. The offensive strike capability has been honed with up-gradations and new inductions of weapons and platforms. IAF has the largest strategic airlift capability in the region comprising of IL-76, C-17 & C-130 platforms with enhanced heli-lift capabilities.

‘Response to the stand-off along the LAC in the North is indicative of our operational state today. We are determined to handle any contingency. Our airlift capability had the Indian Army rapidly mobilise the troops and equipment to the operational area at a pace which our adversary didn’t expect’, he mentioned.