New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is prepared to fight a war "at a short notice", Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said today, adding that it was fully geared up to face any security challenge to the country. "We are prepared to fight at a short notice," Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa told personnel on the occasion of the 85th Air Force Day.
The Air Chief's remarks come three days after he said that the Indian Air Force has the capability of locating, fixing and striking across the border, adding that any decision on a surgical strike would be taken by the government. He also asserted that India is prepared to effectively counter any threat from China while confronting a two-front war also involving Pakistan.
The Air Force was acquiring multi-spectrum strategic capabilities and remained committed to building a "joint manship" with the Indian Army and the Navy, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said today.
Earlier this week, the Air Chief, while saying that the force needed "42 squadrons to carry out full spectrum operations", maintained that it was "ready for full spectrum operation" and "fight a two-front scenario". "There is a Plan B," he had said.
"The IAF is prepared to fight at short notice in full synergy with other two sister services, should the need arise," he had said.
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said today that security at all Air Force stations has been strengthened to combat any threat, including sub-conventional threats, following the terror attack on the Pathankot air base in January last year. Heavily-armed terrorists from Pakistan had hijacked a police car and entered the highly secure Air Force base in Punjab, killing seven security men before being shot dead in an 80-hour operation.
