IAF ups focus on China

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major today indicated a renewed impetus towards building infrastructure and airfields in the northeast of the country in the light of the lack of knowledge of the capabilities of the Chinese armed forces.

While clarifying that his recent remarks about the Chinese threat being greater than Pakistan had been ‘misunderstood’, he said “There is no escalation of any threat perception,” and that, “We know very little about the capabilities of that country.”

The air chief had recently been quoted as considering China a ‘bigger threat’ than Pakistan.

According to the air chief, the IAF’s assessment was ‘not threat-centric’ but ‘capability-based’.

He also indicated the IAF would be upgrading its presence in in area close to India’s eastern frontiers. “We have plans to improve infrastructure in the northeast. We’re upgrading four-five airfields and Advanced Landing Grounds (AGL). We’re also going to be basing a fleet of Sukhoi-30s in Tezpur”, he said, referring to the IAF base in Assam which has been undergoing renovation to become suitable for hosting the aircraft. This will be the first time the aircraft are stationed in the northeast.