The Indian Air Force (IAF) is bracing up against growing armies of China and Pakistan with upgraded tactics and state-of-the-art equipments. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary on Tuesday revealed the strategic plans of the Indian Air Force. He said that in the next seven to eight years, fighter planes, helicopters, missiles and radars worth Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crore will be inducted in the IAF.
As per the information, the IAF is levelling up its millitary strength to monitor situation along the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Intelligence, Surveillance and Espionage (ISR) will be the tatctic the army will use for monitoring.
China has significantly expanded its air bases facing India and deployed a network of radars and surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGW) since the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020.
To meet every eventuality, the IAF has also deployed SAGWs and radars including Low Level Transportable Radars (LLTRs) along the LAC. Now, they are looking for mountain radar to increase their reach into enemy territory.
ACM Choudhary highlighted that Pakistan is now producing Chinese JF-17 ‘Thunder’ multi-purpose fighter aircraft. It is also adding 25 advanced J-10C jets.
India’s shopping worth Rs 3 lakh crore
Apart from this, 97 more Tejas Mark-1A fighter planes will also be purchased. The acquisition of 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets at a cost of Rs 1.2 lakh crore is aimed at reducing the number of fighter squadrons, which currently stands at 31, while at least 42 are required. The remaining 60 MiG-21 ‘Bison’ are scheduled to be retired by 2025.
On the other hand, Air Force high power radar and five squadron air defense missiles of long range (250 km) are also being included. Additionally, 84 of the 260 Russian-origin Sukhoi-MKI fighter aircraft are continuing to be upgraded with indigenously designed weapons and electronic warfare systems.
