India Developing Electronic Warfare System To Gain Edge Over Pakistan: IAF Deputy Chief

Air Marshal N Tiwari, who was at the Aero India in Bengaluru, said the Indian Air Force has enhanced its capabilities in several ways after the 2019 Indo-Pak face-off in Balakot.

The Indian Air Force has developed its electronic warfare system to counter Pakistan said Deputy Chief of the Air Force Air Marshal N Tiwari said on Tuesday. Tiwari, who was at the Aero India in Bengaluru, said the Indian Air Force has enhanced its capabilities in several ways.

"First, we upgraded our out-of-date fighter jets. Under this, Mirage 2000, MiG 29, and Sukhoi fighter jets were upgraded and equipped with the latest missiles and avionics. New weapons and long-range missiles have also been included in the Air Force," he said. According to Tiwari, long-range missiles, like the indigenous air-to-air Astra and anti-radiation Rudram, have now become part of the Air Force. 

Tiwari said that the need for upgradation was strongly felt after India's face-off with Pakistan.

In order to avenge the Pulwama attack, India on February 26, 2019, carried out a major air strike on a training camp of the terrorist organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed, in Pakistan. A Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force bombed the Jaish terrorist camp in Balakot and killed a large number of terrorists. Enraged by this, Pakistan tried to mount an air attack on India the next day, but failed. 

Wing Commander Abhinandan of the Air Force had shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter aircraft. However, his MiG-21 crashed and Wing Commander Abhinandan was taken hostage by Pakistan. But after diplomatic pressure, Pakistan was forced to release Abhinandan unconditionally. Pakistan had likely jammed the communications of Wing Commander Abhinandan's MiG-21, due to which he entered the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. This is why the Indian Air Force is increasing its capabilities in electronic warfare. Tiwari said that the systems related to electronic warfare have been prepared and soon they will be included in the Air Force. 

Air Marshal Tiwari also said that in the near future, the Indian Air Force will induct aircraft, like the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), LCK Mark 1A, and LCA Mark-2 into its squadrons. Apart from this, the Air Force is trying to develop 114 Multi-role Fighter Aircraft (MFRA) under the Make In India scheme. 

Tiwari further said that India's preparations against China and Pakistan have been better than ever before and will improve further soon.