Gulf News

Rafale, S-400 will enhance our capabiliti­es — IAF chief

DHANOA SAYS AIR FORCE IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING NEW COMBAT SYSTEMS

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Air Force Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa yesterday said the induction of Rafale fighter aircraft, the S-400 missile system and the Apache and Chinook choppers will considerab­ly enhance the IAF’s capabiliti­es.

“We are in the process of acquiring new combat systems... The acquisitio­n of 36 Rafale aircraft, the S-400 missile systems, Apache attack helicopter­s and Chinook heavy lift helicopter­s will further enhance our capabiliti­es,” he said in his address to a gathering of IAF officers and personnel on the 86th anniversar­y of the Air Force at Hindan airbase.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, as well as former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, an Honorary Group Captain of the IAF, were present.

While the Congress has been accusing the Modi government of indulging in crony capitalism and benefiting “a few friends” at the cost of the stateowned Hindustan Aeronautic­s Ltd (HAL) in the Rs590 billion (Dh29.15 billion) Rafale deal, Dhanoa maintained that the deal for 36 Rafale jets was an emergency purchase and that India got a good deal.

India also signed a Rs390 billion deal with Russia for S-400 Triumf missile systems last week despite US threats of sanctions.

Speaking about Exercise Gagan Shakti, the largest ever pan-IAF drill that showcased the IAF’s capabiliti­es and preparedne­ss, Dhanoa said the IAF was “ever prepared to meet any contingenc­y that challenges the defence of our country”.

During the exercise, designed to practise real time deployment of air power in a realistic short and intense battle scenario in case of a two-front war in coordinati­on with the Army and Navy, more than 11,000 sorties were flown including 9,000 sorties of fighter aircraft.

More than 1,400 officers and 14,000 men were pulled out of training and maintenanc­e units and deployed for the exercise.

“The IAF further expanded its participat­ion in bilateral and multinatio­nal exercise with air forces of friendly foreign countries such as Australia, Russia, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Mid-air stunts

“These exercises have helped us build relations and kept us abreast of the latest practices and technologi­cal developmen­ts in the world of military aviation,” the Air Chief Marshal said.

The IAF held a spectacula­r air show yesterday in which the MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, Tejas and Dhruv helicopter­s conducted breathtaki­ng manoeuvres.

There was the grandeur of the roaring and splitting of MiG-29 jets and the gravity-defying vertical charlie by single Su-30 apart during the show but it was the manoeuvres, including rolls and loops, of the indigenous­ly-built Tejas light combat aircraft that was the show-stopper.

The Sarang team of the IAF, flying the modified Dhruv choppers, astonished the viewers with their daredevil midair stunts conducted with razor precision.

 ?? PTI ?? IAF personnel during the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at the Air Force Station at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday.
PTI IAF personnel during the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at the Air Force Station at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday.

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