India to enhance IAF’s capabilities to tackle China

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has the confidence to tackle China, if the latter indulges in any misadventure, even as it plans to increase its strength.

“Talks are being held to purchase new aircrafts but they are still at the contractual level. Once everything is finalised we may get the delivery in the next three years,” Air Chief Marshal, PV Naik of the IAF told mediapersons at a press conference held at the South Western Air Command (SWAC) in Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Naik said the current strength of the IAF is around one third of that of China.

He said India neither has the capabilities nor the intention to match China force for force. Talking to the media, Naik said no Chinese air incursions had taken place along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

“As far as Air Force is concerned there has been no incursions anywhere near the Indian borders,” he said. The country currently has fighter aircrafts like MIG-21, MIG-29, Sukoi Su-30, Dissault Mirage-2000 and a series of Jaguar.

Naik said that the government of India had made several attempts to enhance the strength of IAF.  “We are not downplaying the challenges before us. But there is a strategy in place to handle it. One can either deal with it sternly or play cool and continue to develop capabilities,” Naik said.

He said the IAF had the full backing of the government as far as the acquisition of new aircrafts is concerned.