GUWAHATI, Nov 29 - Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa today said there has been no air space violations by China in recent times and the air forces of both the countries have been �broadly� adhering to the confidence building measures (CBMs).
While the fighter aircraft from both the countries have not violated the �peace time no flying zone�, the IAF chief, however, admitted that there had been sporadic incidents of violations by helicopters which is linked to �navigational perception�.
�We have CBMs on both sides in which the fighter aircraft don�t come less than 10 nautical kilometres from the perceived line of control. Even during the Doklam crisis and the huge Gagakshakti exercise, at no stage neither did we nor they violated the peace time no fly zone,� Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said, addressing a press conference here.
He said that during the Aero India 2017, he had discussed issues with the visiting commander of the Chinese air force�s western theatre. �I had told him that we must meet more on ground so that we don�t meet each other on the air... both the air forces have been respecting the CBMs. One odd violation by helicopters is there... and that goes on. It is due to navigational perception. But broadly the CBMs are being maintained,� he said.
Maintaining that the controversy over Rafale deal has not affected plans for new inductions, Dhanoa said the IAF plans to induct a number of fighters and has floated Request for Information (RFI) for some 114 fighter aircraft.
�We have proposals to induct light combat aircraft (LCA) in big numbers. There are proposals to induct 12 LCA squadrons with 231 aircraft of various configurations. Once we are ready with the operational requirements, we will tell the government after which the RFP (request for proposal) for fighter procurement programme will be issued,� he added.
