Air Force Chief Birendra Singh Dhanoa backs Rafale deal, says ‘government is strengthening Indian Air Force’

Indian Air Force chief Birendra Singh Dhanoa came out in support of the government’s decision to obtain French Rafale aircraft jets and the Russian S-400 missile defence system on Wednesday. He said that by obtaining these military jets, the government was strengthening the Indian Air Force.

Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa said on Wednesday that India is facing increased threat from neighboring countries and said that we are facing rebellion across the border. Our neighbors are not sitting in the blank. He disclosed that China has deployed combat aircraft in Tibet. We need more fighter planes.

The Air Chief said that the Government is strengthening the Indian Air Force by providing the Rafale Aircraft and Missile Defense Systems S-400. He said that we do not have 42 squadrons of fighter planes in compare of required power. We have 31 Squadrons. Even against the 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined number of our two regional rivals. 

By providing the #Rafale and S-400, the government is strengthening the Indian Air Force to counter the short falls of our depleting numbers: Birender Singh Dhanoa, Air Force Chief in Delhi pic.twitter.com/kUesqUuMNr

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2018

Earlier in April, Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa had said that China is increasing its air power in the Tibetan autonomous region on the India border. Air Chief Marshal said in an address that in all the emergency situations, 42 squadrons of fighter planes are needed for the full operation of the operations. At present, the IAF has only 31 squadrons of fighters. He however said that whenever there is a need, there is the ability to wage war with the “fast” in the IAF.

Air Force Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa in Delhi said, “What we do not have are the numbers, against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, we are down to 31. Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries”

Here is the video of press conference of Air chief BS dhanoa: 

Earlier too, the Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal SB Deo had also backed the Rafale purchase, terming it a “beautiful” aircraft. Deo had also said critics of the deal must understand the procurement norms. In 2015, PM Modi, while he was on a trip to France, had announced that India would acquire 36 Rafale jets in a government-to-government agreement.

Also Read: IAF vice Chief also breaks the silence on Rafale.

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Also Read: Watch IAF Pilots with Rafale aircraft at Gwalior Airbase

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Also Read: Rafale Deal: See what IAF chief BS Dhanoa has said about Deal

Talking about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, he said that the continuous attacks by terrorist organizations indicate that Indian resistance is not working in some areas and he stressed that there is a need to increase capabilities in this area so that Strict behavioral changes can be ensured in Islamabad.