Rafale, S-400 air defence missile systems will further bolster Indian Air Force: Air Chief
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria
Indian Air Force's newly appointed chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Friday addressed his first press conference and stated that modern inventory has been inducted into the Air Force along with precision weapons.
"Rafale and S-400 air defence missile systemswill further bolster the capability of the Indian Air Force," Bhaduria said.
"Indigenisation remains our focus," the chief stated adding that inducting indigenous inventory into Air Force will be a priority.
The Air Chief stated that the Indian Air Force has achieved many important milestones in the past year including successfully targetting terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan on February 26.
"On February 27, in the aerial battle after attack by Pakistan, Indian Air Force lost one MiG-21 and Pakistan lost one F-16," Bhaduria said, adding that "it was our mistake as our missile had hit our own chopper".
"Court of Inquiry completed and we will take action against two officers. We accept this was our big mistake and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in future," the chief added.
On a possibility of another Balakot-type airstrike, the chief said, "If there is a terror strike (from Pakistan), it will be responded as per the government decision on it".
Meanwhile, at the annual Air Force Day press conference, the IAF showcased the story of the Balakot aerial strikes in a promotional video. The conference was attended by air chief Bhadauria.