India Prepared To Deal With Any Two-Front Threat Scenario: IAF Chief VR Chaudhari

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said China continues deployment at three air bases in the Tibet region while Indian is fully prepared to "deal with any situation". 

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary speaks during a press conference, ahead of the 89th Air Force Day on Oct. 8, in New Delhi, Oct. 5, 2021. (PTI)

New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday stated that India is ready to deal with "any two-front threat scenario".

Speaking ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said China continues deployment at three air bases in the Tibet region while Indian is fully prepared to "deal with any situation".    

"The situation on the Line of Actual Control is that the Chinese Air Force is still present on three air bases on their side of the LAC. We are fully deployed and prepared on our side," the IAF chief said. 

"China's capability to launch multiple high altitude missions would remain weak," the IAF Chief said on being asked about Chinese Air Force capabilities near Ladakh. While adding "China has enhanced infrastructure but it is not going to affect India's operational preparedness".

"Our strike capability has become more potent with the induction of Rafale jets and various weapons," the IAF Chief said.

The induction of Rafale, Apaches have significantly added to our combat potential. Our offensive strike capability has become even more potent with the integration of new weapons on our fleets: IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari pic.twitter.com/LasDUQs4Ty

— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2021

India is not worried about the airfields in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as they are too small for a warfare-like situation. 

"With regard to airfields in Pakistan and PoK, we don’t need to be much alarmed as they are small strips capable of taking on a few helicopters. The one towards the Afghan border is probably for rescuing their own people from Afghanistan," Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said.

On the increased closeness of China and Pakistan, the IAF Chief said that India should not be worried about it. "There is nothing to fear from this partnership. But the only worry is western technology passing from Pakistan to China," Air Chief said.

On the theatre commands programme, he said the IAF is fully committed to it but added that discussions are required before new structures are put in place. "Various options are being discussed among three forces," the IAF chief said.

The theatre commands are being planned to integrate the capabilities of the three services and to ensure optimal utilisation of their resources.

(With agency inputs)