‘Our Security Scenario Is Influenced By Unstable Neighbours With Unsettled Borders’: IAF Chief Takes On China, Pak

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said China poses a significant and long-term challenge to India’s strategic goals.

Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari (File Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, on Wednesday said India’s security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbours with unsettled borders, adding it should be made clear to the world that New Delhi presently has capability and will respond at a level deemed appropriate.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said China poses a significant and long-term challenge to India’s strategic goals.

“China’s hegemonic policies can provide opportunities for India to leverage in trade and military domains,” he added.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said both People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Pakistan Air Force have enhanced their military capabilities in equipment and infrastructure.

“We must reassess our strategic priorities and realign actions to ensure that we don't get left behind. Our security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbours with unsettled borders, which could be a flashpoint in the future,” ANI quoted Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari as saying in the national capital.

The Chief of Air Staff said Pakistan is “unlikely to shed its Kashmir-oriented strategy” and will continue to sponsor terrorism.

“The Pakistan armed forces have formulated a new concept of war-fighting and have acquired and equipped itself with latest technology, aircraft and upgraded its defence capabilities,” he added.

Asserting the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to be rapidly modernized, expand its fleet and improve indigenous manufacturing capabilities, the Air Chief Marshal said: “In the future, we could be attacked from all fronts, starting from economic strangulation to diplomatic isolation and military stand-offs to info blackouts in the form of attack by a distributed denial of services. We will need to prepare for the full spectrum.”

“Strategically, we are making a transition from fighting a predominantly defensive war to adopting a more aggressive approach for an offensive defence under the nuclear umbrella,” he added.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari further said India has demonstrated its capabilities during standoff on the northern border while handling the national Covid response.