IAF marks 2 yrs of Balakot op with further enhancements

FRONTLINE PLATFORMS, INDUCTED OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, FORM A CRITICAL PART OF THE IAF’S FORCE PROJECTION IN LADAKH

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has strengthened its offensive capabilities significantly since the effective bombing of JEM targets in Balakot exactly two years ago, and the months-long border standoff with China saw IAF flex its muscle in the Ladakh theatre where it deployed cutting-edge weaponry that was inducted after the unprecedented cross-border strike on February 26, 2019.

IAF’S Mirage-2000s struck targets in Balakot in response to the Pakistan-backed Pulwama suicide attack in Kashmir in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed on February 14.

Frontline platforms, inducted over the last two years, form a critical part of IAF’S force projection in eastern Ladakh, and have demonstrated its capability to carry out day-and-night, allweather combat missions in the sensitive theatre, said people familiar with the developments.

The platforms inducted after the Balakot raid include Rafale fighter jets, missiles, smart airto-ground weapons, AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, and CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters.

Experts said IAF’S fighter, helicopter and transport fleets played a crucial during the Ladakh standoff that began last May. IAF’S fighter fleet, reinforced with new Rafale jets, and the Apache attack helicopters sent a strong message to the Chinese, while Indian transport aircraft played a crucial role in the swift mobilisation of troops and equipment to forward areas, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.