IAF chief backs Rafale deal, says 'high-tech' jets will help

Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa said Wednesday that the "high-tech" Rafale will help India make up its shortfall in aircraft when compared to Pakistan and China.

Speaking in Delhi, Dhanoa said Pakistan currently has 20 fighter squadrons.

China, he added, has 1,700 fighter aircraft, of which 800 are fourth-generation.

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India, on the other hand, he said does "not have the numbers".

"Against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, we are down to 31. Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries," said Dhanoa.

A squadron typically consists of 12 to 24 aircraft.

"By providing the Rafale and S-400, the government is strengthening the Indian Air Force to counter the shortfall of our depleting numbers," Dhanoa added.

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has brokered a government-to-government deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. The opposition Congress — which had brokered the original deal to buy 126 Rafales from Dassault — however says the current government is paying three times what the UPA governmentwas for a Rafale.

The Congress has also accused Modi of crony capitalism.

The allegations have brought the deal under fierce scrutiny.

SB Deo, the vice-chief of the air force, had recently said the same things as Dhanoa. Deo said that the people criticising the new deal do not understand the laid-down procurement procedures and norms.

Deo added that the Rafale is a capable aircraft which will will give the Indian Air Force an advantage over its adversaries.