Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said that forces are monitoring the situation across the borders through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and taking note of the buildup of resources and capabilities on the other sides. He said the force's plans keep changing depending on the situation on the other side. He said that wherever there is concern about numbers, they plan to counter it through better tactics and training.
"We are constantly monitoring the situation across borders through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). We make note of the buildup of resources and capabilities across the borders. Our operational plans are dynamic and keep changing based on the situation that we perceive that is developing across any front. In places where cannot really counter the numbers or the might of the adversary, we will counter it through better tactics and better training...We keep revising our ISR plans as per inputs," Chaudhari said.
He was addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day and said that the IAF is constantly monitoring the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in eastern Ladakh.
The Chief of Air Staff said a transfer of technology is taking place between China and Pakistan. "Pakistan is manufacturing JF-17 fighter aircraft and also inducting J-10 aircraft. Wherever we can counter technology with technology, we will do it. Where we cannot, we will do it with better tactics. We keep an eye on the developments between these two countries," he added.
He emphasised the need to have a strong and credible military owing to the volatile and uncertain geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the said region is the new economic and strategic centre of gravity of the world and offers "us both challenges and opportunities. Indian Air Force, with its inherent capability to see the farthest, reach the fastest and hit the hardest will be critical in mitigating these challenges and will remain a fulcrum in projecting India's might in the region".
On the question about aircraft, Chaudhari said the Air Force will stop flying the MiG-21 fighter aircraft by 2025 and we will it with the LCA Mark 1A.
"We had signed a contract for 83 LCA Mark 1As. What we are looking at is now to supplement that contract with 97 additional aircraft. So, it will bring the total to 180 LCA Mark 1As..." he said.
He also said the IAF has received three units of the S-400 missile systems from Russia and it is hoping to receive the remaining two by next year.