China can never get better of us, says Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria

NEW DELHI: New Delhi: India is well-positioned when it comes to deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and there is no conflict scenario in which China can get an upper hand, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has said.

While conceding that the strength areas of the People’s Liberation Army’s air force include surface-to-air systems and long-distance air-launched weapons, he said these were catered for in India’s response matrix to retain an upper hand.

“There is no question of not taking on the threat there. We are very well-positioned. There is no question that in any conflict scenario China can get the better of us,” he said at the annual press conference on Monday preceding the Air Force Day.


Bhadauria said India was not close to conducting an air strike after the Galwan clash, which left soldiers dead on either side. “Ladakh is a small area and very small part of our deployment. We are deployed across all relevant operational locations that are required to access this area. We are deployed strongly and are firmly in place to handle any contingency,” he said.

The IAF chief said the pace with which offensive deployment of combat ready units was undertaken as the standoff occurred on the LAC was indicative of the operational state of the force and caught China by surprise.

“We are determined to handle any contingency — undoubtedly our capability and intent would deter. Our airlift capability was also brought into focus as we supported the Army in rapid mobilisation of troops and equipment to operational areas at a pace which our adversary didn’t expect.”

On the PLA air force capabilities, the air chief said its strength was its numbers and surface-to-air systems but this had been catered for in India’s plans. “Their strength lies in the number of surface-to-air systems they have deployed in that area and air-launched long-distance weapons. All that we cater for in our matrix and ensure that we are in a position to not only take on their strong points but also ensure our offensive action is deployed accordingly,” he said.

The officer said integration of Rafale fighter jets “brings in a platform armed with weapons, sensors and technologies that is way ahead and gives us an operational and technological edge in this area”.