Rafale fighter jets ‘S-400’ will enhance IAF’ capabilities: IAF Chief BS Dhanoa
On Monday, October 8, India Air Force Chief, BS Dhanoa said in his Air Force Day address that acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets and S-400 missile system will enhance IAF’s capabilities and IAF is prepared to meet any contingency.
Dhanoa said, “The IAF is ever prepared to meet any contingency that challenges the defence of our country. In the year gone by, IAF has continued to grow from strength to strength and achieved a number of operational milestones”.
He said, “Acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft, S-400 missiles systems, Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift helicopters would further enhance our capabilities”.
Acquisition of #Rafale fighter jets and S-400 Missiles will enhance the country’s Air Force capabilities: Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa pic.twitter.com/qTi152uOuW
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 8, 2018
Dhanoa stressed on airspace safety and to minimize accidents by providing proper training to its personals so that they can meet the challenges of operating the new generation aircrafts.
Dhanoa said, “Loss of aircraft in peacetime is not only expensive, but also diminishes the wartime capability”.
Air chief also hailed the peacetime operations carried out by Indian Air Force in last one year. He said that IAF provided timely assistance during Kerala floods, in fighting forest fires in Katra, Pathankot, Theni, Kasauli and urban fires in Delhi.
He said that during Kerala floods, 25 helicopters and 23 aircrafts were used in the service.
In his speech, Air Chief also mentioned about the operations carried out by IAF outside the country, “In addition, airlifting relief material to Myanmar and Indonesia, firefighting on an Indian Merchant Ship and CASEVAC of pilgrims stranded at Kailash Mansarovar and Amarnath Yatra were also carried out”.
Dhanoa spoke about ‘Gaganshakti’ in which 1100 aircrafts were used and approximately 9000 sorties were flown by fighter aircrafts.
