Indian Air Force ready for two-front war with China, Pakistan: IAF Chief BS Dhanoa

Speaking on the eve of Air Force Day, the Air Chief Marshal on Thursday said that the IAF has adequate facilities and is prepared to fight at short notice. He added that the IAF is in full synergy with its sister services. “We need a strength of 42 squadrons to carry out full spectrum of operations in a two-front scenario. It doesn’t mean we are not capable of fighting in a two-front scenario as we speak,” he said.

Regarding the impasse at Doklam between the Indian and Chinese armies, the Air Chief Marshal said there was no standoff in the air. “During the summer months, the Chinese air force always carries out an exercise in Tibet, in which their two main airfields are full. So they were full during Doklam operations. They will start clearing out once the weather becomes colder,” Dhanoa said.

On being asked about concerns over Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons and whether the IAF would be able to disarm Islamabad of its nuclear arsenals if necessary, Dhanoa said his force had the capability of locating, fixing and striking across the border.

Asked whether the IAF was ready for a surgical strike across the border, he said it was ready to deal with any challenge and a call on such an operation would have to be taken by the government. “Surgical strike is a decision that has to be taken by the government. The IAF has the capability to carry out the full spectrum of air operations,” he said.

On whether the IAF provided any support to the Army for the surgical strike last year and during the Dokalam face-off, the IAF chief said, “Whatever was asked from the air force was provided”. He refused to share further details.

The IAF chief, however, said no air force assets were involved during the Myanmar operation and the surgical strike across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir last year. “The IAF is prepared to fight at a short notice in full synergy with the other two sister services should the need arise,” he said, adding that the force was in a high state of readiness to fight a war.

About a possible confrontation with China, he said India’s air power was “adequate”. At the same time, he talked about what China could or could not do from Tibet. “Our capability is adequate,” he said. The IAF chief also spoke on a range of issues including steps being taken to enhance the strike capability of the force including the acquisition of S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile systems from Russia and 36 Rafale combat jets.

He said the contract for five S-400 missile systems would be signed soon and their delivery would start two years after the deal was struck.

The IAF chief also talked about the mid-life upgrading of Mirage 2000, Mig 29s and Jaguar fleets, adding that the IAF was working to fully achieving a network-centric operational capability.

Dhanoa said a proposal for 83 indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Mark I was being finalised. “These men and women under my command are confident of taking on any threat and are fully prepared to undertake the full spectrum of air operations and respond to any challenge in the most befitting manner,” said Dhanoa.

When asked about the Army chief’s two-and-half front war comment also referring to internal security threats, Dhanoa said, “As a democracy we don’t use kinetic air power against our own people.”

(With inputs from PTI)