In a reassuring address today at the Hindan Air Force Station, Ghaziabad on the occasion of 85th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief BS Dhanoa said, “IAF remains ready to fight at short notice”.
The Air Chief’s comment comes at a time when Indian forces are engaged both at the eastern and western border.
Starting mid-June for about two and a half months, Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a tense standoff at Doklam. Whereas, in the western sector, the Army has killed about 150 terrorists so far in this year.
“The nature of conflict in the present geo-political environment may require us to fight a short and swift war for which we need to be alert and prepared to fight on a short notice,” B S Dhanoa said.
Referring to the deadly 2016 Pathankot Air Base attack, the Air Chief said,” We also face sub-conventional threats on assets by terrorists.”
“We are in the process of modernisation. Midlife upgradation of fighter aircraft is already underway. Rafale will increase our operational capability in coming times,” Dhanoa added.
Paying tribute to the seven armed forces personnel who lost their life in the chopper crash in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, the Air Chief said, “I salute all air warriors who made the supreme sacrifice”.
Underlining that costly assets cannot be lost on account of carelessness, ignorance or un-professionalism, he added, “Supervisors are entirely responsible for the safe and professional conduct of operations”.
Dhanoa also paid homage to the late Air Marshal Arjan Singh.
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