IAF ready for war at short notice: Air Chief Marshal
The Indian Air Force is prepared to fight a war at a “short notice” and fully geared up to respond to any security challenge to the country in the most befitting manner, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday, reports PTI.
The IAF chief also said that the uncertainties in the present geo-political environment in the region may require the IAF to fight a “short” and “swift war”.
“We are prepared to fight at a short notice should the need arise,” he said while addressing an event at the air base here on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the IAF.
The comments came amid China’s muscle flexing in the Dokalam Plateau and continued cross-border terror activities by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
The IAF chief spoke on a variety of issues, including the possible security challenge facing the country, stating that the focus was to transform the IAF into a technology intensive force in the next few years to significantly enhance its overall prowess.
“I assure my countrymen that these men and women under my command are confident to take on any threat and fully prepared to undertake full spectrum of air operation and respond to any challenge in the most befitting manner,” he said, in the presence of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and top echelons of the IAF.
Separately, in a message published in an IAF booklet, Dhanoa said the uncertainties in the current environment in the region may require IAF to act in varied challenging situations.
“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,” he said.