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IAF fully capable of tackling any threat: Barbora

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, May 20 � The Indian Air Force (IAF) is completely capable of take on any adventure that our adversaries may try to protect our motherland, asserted forcer Vice Chief of the IAF, Air Marshal PK Barbora.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Air Marshal Barbora admitted that India cannot match the Chinese in terms of numbers, but the strength of the Air Force is adequate to protect the security of the country. Every country calculates its requirements after thorough analysis and as per the calculations made by India, the strength of the Indian Air Force is adequate to protect the western, northern and eastern frontiers. He also said that the defence capabilities of India can be termed as very formidable deterrent to any hostile activity by any of the neighbours.

Air Marshal Barbora pointed out that India does not have aggressive intent against any country and the requirements of the defence preparedness are analysed for the protection of the country. There have also been continuous efforts to improve upon the country�s defence preparedness and use of modern technology as force multipliers.

Commenting on the slow progress of building up of infrastructure along the border with China, Air Marshal Barbora said that after the Chinese aggression of 1962, there was a deliberate policy decision by India to slow down the infrastructure development in the bordering areas to prevent the adversaries from making use of it. But the situation has now changed and India has started building up infrastructure all along the international border. The infrastructure along the border would not only be helpful for the defence preparedness but also for linking the people living in the remote areas, while, it can also be used for promoting tourism, he pointed out.

The force Vice Chief of the IAF said that in recent times, the Government of India cleared a number of road projects in Jammu and Kashmir and also in North East, while, a number of

airfields and helipads have also been improved. He, however, admitted that the hostile terrain in Arunachal Pradesh also slowed down infrastructure development activities to some extent.

Air Marshal Barbora pointed out that advanced landing grounds have been built up in Pachighat and Bijoynagar, while, a number of helipads have been improved in Arunachal, which would also be beneficial for the civilians living in the inaccessible areas. Two Sukhoi squadrons have been already moved to this part of the country, while, the process of moving the third is also on. The IAF now has C 17, the biggest transport chopper and the latest C 130 choppers and �we can say that we are no longer in a disadvantageous position.�

At the same time, Air Marshal Barbora said that he did not apprehend a full scale and all out war at this juncture as both India and China are now nuclear capable countries no one would risk such a war, while, the Indian forces are fully capable of thwarting any adventures by the adversaries.

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