New Delhi: Indian air combat capabilities in hitting targets with precision, maintaining vital assets and new technological infusion have significantly rises after Balakot attacks in Pakistan in 2019 and Galwan Valley clashes in East Ladakh last year, said Air Head Bhadauria on Tuesday.
India now has a “edge” in its ability to “react quickly, respond quickly and hit quickly” along the northern boundary with China and Westerners with Pakistan, said the IAF head, speaking at Indian service institutions.
Induction of 4.5-generation Rafale fighters – 24 of the 36 jets have touched in India until now under the agreement of RS 59,000 Crore inked with France – has helped bring the “next level” operational transformation at the IAF.
“This level or level-and-a-half above where we are,” said ACM Bhadauria.
The IAF offensive combat ability has risen in terms of having remote air-to-land weapons, in carrying out precision strikes and the ability to operate in the network environment, he added.
The use of Israeli air assets in conducting surgical precision operations to achieve its goals in Gaza against Hamas in the recent 11-day conflict, while minimizing collateral damage, is a reflection of the air power ability to influence the battle, he said.
The IAF focus has brought the level of the next operational transformation, including in the cybersecurity domain after the clash of Valley Galwan, and the strength of most succeeded in its efforts, said ACM Bhadauria.