Air Chief Marshal's Stern Message Amid Ladakh Standoff, "IAF Ready For A Two-Front War, Rafale Gives Us Edge"

The border stand-off with China since clashes with the PLA army resulted in the deaths of 20 soldiers in Galwan Valley in June which resulted in a bitter border tension at Eastern Ladakh between the 2 countries.

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria gave a stern message today talking about the border security and complications due to the Ladakh border standoff with China. The Air Chief Marshal on Monday said that India is prepared for any conflict, including a two-front war. "We have deployed strongly in Eastern Ladakh. We are ready to take on the Chinese threat in Eastern Ladakh," he said. Addressing a press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, Bhadauria asserted that the Air Force was transforming at a rapid pace. Also Read|Who Is Shakti Malik? Dalit Leader Shot Dead In Bihar's Purnea Days After Accusing Tejashwi Yadav Of Demanding Money For Party Ticket “Matrix of the threat facing the country is complex”, he said, while adding that "emerging threats mandate us to have robust capabilities of the IAF.” He said that while India has not come close to an airstrike against China, it is still prepared for it. The induction of Rafale jets has given us an operational edge, he added. Addressing the media ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said Chinese airpower can't get the better of India's capabilities but at the same time added that there is no question of underestimating the adversary. “Integration of Rafales brings in a platform which is way ahead and would give us an edge and capability to strike first and deep,” Bhadauria, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

#WATCH The emerging threat scenario in our neighbourhood & beyond mandates need to have a robust capability to fight across the entire spectrum of warfare...I can share with you with confidence that operationally, we are amongst the best: IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria pic.twitter.com/SEgfwOUP3E

— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2020

A lot of what happens in Eastern Ladakh depends on the talks. The progress is slow, but there is a clear intent on both sides," he said. However, the threat of a two-front war has intensified as ceasefire violations made by Pakistani troops at the LoC reached a record 17-year high. He also shared the vision to continue to scale up IAF’s combat capability and credibility as a force to reckon through modernisation and operational training, and substantially increase indigenous equipment to achieve self-reliance and strategic autonomy. During the IAF day flypast, all eyes will be on the Rafale jets that are set to take part for the first time. A total of 56 aircraft, including 19 choppers and seven transport aircraft, will fly during the parade.