New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari V.R. Chaudhari said that India is keeping an eye on Chinese air force activities as disengagement has taken place in areas along the LAC. "We have increased the presence of radars and air defence networks. Appropriate non-escalator measures have been taken in time."
He added that the presence of a strong military is imperative to ward off external threats through deterrence. "Recent events on the global landscape have clearly indicated that the presence of a strong military is imperative to ward off external threats through deterrence and if deterrence fails, to neutralise those threats."
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Air Force Day, he said that the armed forces and the IAF will continue to remain a lynchpin in the national security matrix, both as a coercive deterrent as well as a war-winning instrument.
The IAF chief further said the Force has proved its capability across the entire spectrum of conflict, ranging from peace, no war-no peace, and conflict situations over the years. "Traditionally, wars were fought on the land, sea, and in the air. Today, newer domains like cyber and space are increasingly affecting the conduct of operations even in the traditional realms."
"We can fight and win tomorrow's wars," he added. Speaking about India's defence, he said the country is in the process of acquiring and operationalising cutting-edge systems in the inventory. "At the same time, the task of upgrading the existing inventory of aircraft, weapons, and other combat support systems continues unabated."
Speaking about IAF's role in keeping the country secure, he said the Force continues to be actively deployed while at the same time expediting the operationalisation of recently inducted systems like Rafale, LCA, and S-400, among others.
"Today, as I speak, the IAF continues to be ever vigilant and deployed. Our Air Defence elements are deployed 24x7, 365 days a year to prevent any violation or transgression of our national airspace. Our SAGW units continue to be on alert and our fighters are always on readiness to be scrambled in a matter of a few minutes to counter any emergent threat," he added.