North-eastern infrastructure build-up not to counter Chinese: Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne today said moves to strengthen infrastructure in the north-eastern region are not to "counter" the Chinese.
By PTI | Updated:
BANGALORE: Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne today said moves to strengthen infrastructure in the north-eastern region are not to "counter" the Chinese.
He also said that the airfield in Arunachal Pradesh has been reactivated today but noted it was too short to operate fighter aircraft.
Asked about infrastructure plans in the north-east to "counter" the Chinese, he said, "It's not to counter anybody. All that we are doing is to provide tremendous amount of accessibility to the north-east region".
He pointed out that the region had not developed because of "not being able to transport people and provide access to certain hinterland areas", adding, the increased accessibility would lead to all-round development of the north-east.
"And while we (IAF) are there, we will also support the Army", he said.
The Air Chief said in addition to AN-32 now, C130 transport aircraft would also be operated from the Vijaynagar airfield in Arunachal Pradesh in due course but it's "too small for fighter aircraft".
On the country's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Tejas) programme, he said there are delays in its development.
The initial operational clearance-2 is expected only in the middle of next year, followed by final operational clearance two years thereafter, he said, adding the delay is caused by a "very active monsoon" during which not many flights could be undertaken.
"Apart from that there were technical issues that we have to resolve as we went along," he said.
He also said that the airfield in Arunachal Pradesh has been reactivated today but noted it was too short to operate fighter aircraft.
Asked about infrastructure plans in the north-east to "counter" the Chinese, he said, "It's not to counter anybody. All that we are doing is to provide tremendous amount of accessibility to the north-east region".
He pointed out that the region had not developed because of "not being able to transport people and provide access to certain hinterland areas", adding, the increased accessibility would lead to all-round development of the north-east.
"And while we (IAF) are there, we will also support the Army", he said.
The Air Chief said in addition to AN-32 now, C130 transport aircraft would also be operated from the Vijaynagar airfield in Arunachal Pradesh in due course but it's "too small for fighter aircraft".
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On the country's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Tejas) programme, he said there are delays in its development.
The initial operational clearance-2 is expected only in the middle of next year, followed by final operational clearance two years thereafter, he said, adding the delay is caused by a "very active monsoon" during which not many flights could be undertaken.
"Apart from that there were technical issues that we have to resolve as we went along," he said.
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