IAf to ‘populate airfields’ in S. India
The IAF — which has traditionally focused its aerial might to guard India’s western and eastern borders —— will now start focusing on increasing its operational presence in southern India to beef up security for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also to guard sea-lanes of maritime trade and communication in the Indian
Ocean. The Indian Air Force is also likely to seek opening of “defence enclaves” at airports operated by the state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are going to populate airfields in the South,” said a top defence source, indicating stationing of more fighter aircraft in the southern part of the country as the IAF’s fighter aircraft fleet grows.
Top defence sources said more airfields would be opened across the country including southern India. The IAF is also working towards establishment of a full squadron of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at Tezpur in Assam to boost its defence preparedness to guard India’s eastern borders. Even in the Ladakh region, advanced landing grounds have been made operational.
The Indian Air Force has decided to modernise 30 existing airfields across the country in the first phase of airfield modernisation. The IAF is also seeking upgrade of airfield lighting systems.
A proposal to acquire 42 more Sukhoi fighter aircraft from Russia at an estimated cost of over Rs 20,000 crore is likely to be placed soon before the Cabinet Committee on Security. The IAF is hoping to have a total of 42 fighter squadrons by 2022. The IAF is hoping for induction of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in the months to come, besides other aircraft such as the 126 multi-role medium combat aircraft, and the fifth generation fighter aircraft.
When asked about induction of women as permanent commission officers in the Indian Air Force, defence sources said that women have proved themselves in the Indian Air Force on merit but that their induction should be part of the service requirement and cannot be pushed as a feminist movement.
Comments
It is very unfortunate that
Abhishek
20 Aug 2010 - 09:39
It is very unfortunate that our country lacks complete vision and planning at all levels. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan etc, should be followers of India. We do not know what is diplomacy and do not stratagise in Geo Politics. China has not only left India behind in pacifying it's neighbours but also in places like Africa where India traditionally had far greater influence than China since the past more than 200 years. Therefore until we do things right and learn to strategise our moves, I am afraid we would be left behind in the race not only with China but also with Pakistan.
India should establish more
Gus
13 Aug 2010 - 23:44
India should establish more focus on border with China ...also establish connectivity with major cities in northeast including Twang at war footing...
IAF to populate Air Fields in
Edmond Rayen
13 Aug 2010 - 07:21
IAF to populate Air Fields in South India is most wanted as the presence of Chinese around the Indian Ocean is increasing in disquise of rehabilitating and reconstructing Sri Lanka's war torn teritories & its economy. Our country is not safe as it's borders are threatened by the enemies and their financial and arms support to the Nexals, Maoists, and terrorists are to traced out and curbed at the earliest to avoid future catastrophy and security risks involed.
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