Indian Air Force (IAF) Vice Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari, has said its worrying that western technology is passing from Pakistan to China.
The recently appointed chief said that China has deployed its air force in three bases across eastern Ladakh. His statement comes three days after Army Chief Gen MM Naravane sounded an alert on China deploying troops “considerable numbers” across all eastern Ladakh and northern front.
Talking about China-Pakistan partnership and possibility of a two-front war, Chaudhari said, “There is nothing to fear from this partnership. But the only worry is western technology passing from Pakistan to China.”
Naravane had on Saturday said, “Chinese have deployed in considerable numbers all across Eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to our Eastern command. Definitely, there has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas which remains a matter of concern for us.”
Chaudhari said that the IAF is fully committed to the theaterisation concept to best utilise India’s military resources but at the same time stressed that the new model should reflect the strengths and requirements of each service.
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF should have around 35 fighter squadrons by the next decade as he talked about the phasing out of old aircraft and induction of new ones. He said there are four MiG-21 squadrons and the plan is to retire them in the next three to four years.
(Featured image PTI)