The Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Arup Raha, has said he is ready for any kind of “contingency” even as he emphasised that the situation after the surgical strikes on terrorists’ launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir is still “live’’.
“Things are still live and sensitive … We are always ready for any contingency and we will be ready. Air Force, Army and Navy are always ready,” Raha said during a press conference here on Tuesday refusing to answer any further questions on the surgical strikes.
He also said the IAF has sufficient resources to address any challenge, although he did admit that there is scope for further improvement.
Raha added that IAF’s fleet of fighter jets has the potential to grow manifold in the near future. He lauded the recent signing of the deal by the government to buy 36 French Rafale warplanes.
“We would like to have more Rafale fighters, however the decision will be taken in the near future depending on the capabilities. Any Air force will be proud to have an aircraft of Rafale class. I am proud that the contract has been signed,” he said.
The $8.7-billion deal was signed last month under which India will be buying these jets off the shelf.
However, hinting at Pakistan he also mentioned that the IAF’s capability is not towards a particular country.
He also said India plans to manufacture fighter jets soon. The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons as against the stipulated 42, he said.
LCA programme
On the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, Raha said the upgraded version of Tejas would have better radar, weapons and avionics.
”We can start production by 2021. We can have 80 such planes by 2027,” he said.
Raha also said that the IAF is now in a position to continue with the research and development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft in collaboration with Russia.