No air space violation by China: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa

No air space violation by China: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa

GUWAHATI: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Thursday said there has been no air space violation from the Chinese side and confidence building measures between two countries could be attributed to such positive development.

“I have told my Chinese counterpart that we must meet on the ground more than on air. Confidence building measures on both sides are fine and there has been no report of air space violation by the Chinese side,” Dhanoa said, while interacting with reporters at Air Force Station at Borjhar on Thursday afternoon. He even said there was no air space violation by China during the Doklam standoff.

Dhanoa said seven advance landing grounds are ready for operation in Arunachal Pradesh and urged the civil aviation operators to start using these facilities to improve connectivity in the Northeast.

Dhanoa said that except Vijaynagar, about seven ALGs have already been built and refurbished. “Flight services have already been started to Pasighat ALG. It is now for the operators to start operation on a commercial basis,” he said, adding there is no obstruction from the IAF.

On IAF’s modernization plan, the Chief of Air Staff said augmenting the fighter squadron strength was his top priority. He said the Indian Air Force is equipped to address a range of challenges that have emerged in the recent times.

“ We are acquiring LCA Mark-1 in IOC configuration of one squadron (20 aircraft), LCA Mark-1 in FOC configuration of one squadron, LCA Mark-1A four squadrons (83 aircraft), LCA Mark-2 six squadrons (108 aircraft). So a total of 12 squadrons and 231 aircraft will be the biggest-ever induction of the indigenous aircraft in the country,” Dhanoa said.

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Rafale jets by 2019: Dhanoa

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 29: Evading controversial questions on Rafale deal Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa on Thursday said here that the Indian Air Force will have the first Rafale jets by 2019, and that the process is on to induct a number of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) into the force. “There is no delay in the Rafale programme,” he said.

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