Rafale would would increase India's air defence deterrence levels: IAF Chief

Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strikes-on-terror-launchpads-meticulous-planning-led-to-successful-air-force-mission-199830">Mirage 2000 air strikes</a> on&nbsp;Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. &nbsp;

"Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-face-any-physical-torture-but-went-through-a-lot-of-mental-harassment-abhinandan-on-his-captivity-in-pakistan-200734">Wing Commander Abhinandan</a> will fly again if fit."

Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan authorities on Friday after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down as he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani F-16&nbsp;last Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Whether Wing Commander Abhinandan flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Mig-21 Bison, says, "One is a planned operation in which you plan &amp; carry out.But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy" <a href="https://t.co/B2mZQTLBRd">pic.twitter.com/B2mZQTLBRd</a>
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"We hit the target at Balakot," Dhanoa told reporters, adding,"the Air Force doesn’t calculate casualty numbers, the government does that."

"The target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pak PM Imran Khan) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," the air chief asked reporters when asked about Indian jets hitting the target at Balakot on February 26th. 
 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/crossing-the-rubicon-many-pakistani-nationals-have-paid-a-heavy-price-for-exposing-army-and-jihadi-connect-201007">Also Read:&nbsp;Many Pakistani nationals have paid a heavy price for exposing army and jihadi connect</a>

"We fight with all aircraft's in our inventory," he said.&nbsp; Dhanoa stressed that operations were still ongoing, therefore he won't comment on the issue at present.

On the Rafale fighter jets, the air chief said it would be inducted into the Air Force in September. 
&nbsp;

Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since Mirage 2000 air strikes on Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit.

Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since Mirage 2000 air strikes on Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit." Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan authorities on Friday after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down as he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani F-16 last Wednesday. "Whether Wing Commander Abhinandan flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit." #WATCH Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Mig-21 Bison, says, "One is a planned operation in which you plan & carry out.But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy" pic.twitter.com/B2mZQTLBRd — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2019 × "We hit the target at Balakot," Dhanoa told reporters, adding,"the Air Force doesn’t calculate casualty numbers, the government does that." "The target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pak PM Imran Khan) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," the air chief asked reporters when asked about Indian jets hitting the target at Balakot on February 26th. Also Read: Many Pakistani nationals have paid a heavy price for exposing army and jihadi connect "We fight with all aircraft's in our inventory," he said. Dhanoa stressed that operations were still ongoing, therefore he won't comment on the issue at present. On the Rafale fighter jets, the air chief said it would be inducted into the Air Force in September.

We hit the target at Balakot, Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit: IAF chief Dhanoa

The chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Navy will get Z-plus security cover after a fresh assessment of their threat perception by the security agencies, officials said.&nbsp;

The decision was taken after a thorough review of the threat perception of IAF chief Air Marshal B S Dhanoa and chief of Naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba in the wake of heightened tension with Pakistan.

The chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will be given the Z-plus security, a government official said.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat has already been given the Z-plus security.

The official, however, said close proximity security of the chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will continue to be given by the commandos of the respective forces, and the peripheral security will be given by the central and state security agencies.

&nbsp;Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated with a large air formation, comprising 24 fighter jets, including F-16s.

The chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Navy will get Z-plus security cover after a fresh assessment of their threat perception by the security agencies, officials said.

The chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Navy will get Z-plus security cover after a fresh assessment of their threat perception by the security agencies, officials said. The decision was taken after a thorough review of the threat perception of IAF chief Air Marshal B S Dhanoa and chief of Naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba in the wake of heightened tension with Pakistan. The chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will be given the Z-plus security, a government official said. Army chief General Bipin Rawat has already been given the Z-plus security. The official, however, said close proximity security of the chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will continue to be given by the commandos of the respective forces, and the peripheral security will be given by the central and state security agencies. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated with a large air formation, comprising 24 fighter jets, including F-16s.

Chiefs of Air and Naval staffs to get Z-plus security

The Indian Air Force is undertaking proactive measures to minimise accidents caused by human error, IAF chief Birender Singh Dhanoa said Monday at the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-air-force-celebrates-86th-anniversary-today-170169">86th Air Force Day</a> at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. The Indian Air Force came into existence on October 8, 1932.&nbsp;

"IAF is constantly endeavouring to minimise accidents by learning lessons from the past so as to preserve assets to meet any future challenge," Dhano said Monday.&nbsp;

The chief emphasised that aerospace safety is "one area where we need to" maintain a "constant vigil" as loss of aircraft in peacetime "is not only expensive, it diminishes our war time capability". &nbsp;

Dhanoa said the air force is inducting state-of-the-art simulators which are expected to enhance the quality of training imparted to air crew and also exposes them to realistic operational environments without endangering safety.

Due to legacy planes such as the MiG, a number of accidents have been reported in recent past.&nbsp;

In September this year, an IAF MiG-27 crashed near Jodhpur. The pilot ejected safely. In June, a MiG-21 fighter, which the air force is phasing out, crashed in Kangra killing its piolet. And only last week, a two-seater ML-130 microlight aircraft crashed in Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.

Dhanoa also spoke about modernisation of the fleet. He said India is in the process of "acquiring new combat systems, upgrading and modernising existing inventory" of aircraft.&nbsp;

"The mid-life upgradation of Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fleet is already underway. Acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft, the S-400 missile systems, Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters would further enhance our capabilities," said Dhanoa. &nbsp;

India is also in the process of building its own light combat aircraft — the Tejas. (The Tejas however has overshot a number of deadlines.)&nbsp;

Last week, India signed a deal to acquire five units of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia. The S-400 will add a dimension to New Delhi's defence architecture, especially in case of a two-front war with China and Pakistan.

The air force is also expanding engagements with friendly countries with participation in bilateral and multi-national air exercises. These include exercises with Australia, Russia, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The Indian Air Force is undertaking proactive measures to minimise accidents caused by human error, IAF chief Birender Singh Dhanoa said Monday at the 86th Air Force Day at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.

The Indian Air Force is undertaking proactive measures to minimise accidents caused by human error, IAF chief Birender Singh Dhanoa said Monday at the 86th Air Force Day at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. The Indian Air Force came into existence on October 8, 1932. "IAF is constantly endeavouring to minimise accidents by learning lessons from the past so as to preserve assets to meet any future challenge," Dhano said Monday. The chief emphasised that aerospace safety is "one area where we need to" maintain a "constant vigil" as loss of aircraft in peacetime "is not only expensive, it diminishes our war time capability". Dhanoa said the air force is inducting state-of-the-art simulators which are expected to enhance the quality of training imparted to air crew and also exposes them to realistic operational environments without endangering safety. Due to legacy planes such as the MiG, a number of accidents have been reported in recent past. In September this year, an IAF MiG-27 crashed near Jodhpur. The pilot ejected safely. In June, a MiG-21 fighter, which the air force is phasing out, crashed in Kangra killing its piolet. And only last week, a two-seater ML-130 microlight aircraft crashed in Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh. Dhanoa also spoke about modernisation of the fleet. He said India is in the process of "acquiring new combat systems, upgrading and modernising existing inventory" of aircraft. "The mid-life upgradation of Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fleet is already underway. Acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft, the S-400 missile systems, Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters would further enhance our capabilities," said Dhanoa. India is also in the process of building its own light combat aircraft — the Tejas. (The Tejas however has overshot a number of deadlines.) Last week, India signed a deal to acquire five units of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia. The S-400 will add a dimension to New Delhi's defence architecture, especially in case of a two-front war with China and Pakistan. The air force is also expanding engagements with friendly countries with participation in bilateral and multi-national air exercises. These include exercises with Australia, Russia, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Need to minimise accidents caused by human error: Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa

As the Indian Air Force <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-achieved-things-beyond-our-stated-objectives-air-chief-marshal-on-gagan-shakti-exercise-132330">closed the Gagan Shakti exercise</a>, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa addressing a press conference said India has "no intention" of global dominance.

The military exercise included long-range strike mission with SU30 aircraft engaging multiple targets in the 13-day exercise.

During the exercise, 13,000 sorties were carried out by Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters. The main aim of the exercise was to test India's war preparedness in a war-like situation with Pakistan or China.

The exercise also focussed joint maritime air operations with the Indian Navy.

During the press conference, the IAF chief said: "Gagan Shakti conducted to exercise our resources. It was not against any country."

"What we did in exercise Gagan Shakti is that we have walked the mile," India's air chief added.

Speaking to reporters on India's global ambitions, Dhanoa said: "We don't aim at global dominance because as a country, we need to get economically well-off. We're helpful to our neigbours in any situation."

"We have no intention of domination," he declared.

"Pakistan will keep the Kashmir part boiling. It will continue to attack the military," &nbsp;Dhanoa told reporters, adding," any such attack may have unintended consequences which may result in an escalation."

"In most countries, state has an army. But in Pakistan, the army has a state. If peace were to come,it will lose several of its privileges," he said.

"I can't afford to put my children in Ivy League colleges & settle down in London. Like many of their generals do," he added.

"For China, the geography works against them, especially in the Tibetan autonomous region. Over the past few years, we have seen significant increase in deployment of aircraft & air crew in Tibetan autonomous region," Dhanoa informed.

During the Gagan Shakti exercise 13,000 sorties were carried out by Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters

As the Indian Air Force closed the Gagan Shakti exercise, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa addressing a press conference said India has "no intention" of global dominance. The military exercise included long-range strike mission with SU30 aircraft engaging multiple targets in the 13-day exercise. During the exercise, 13,000 sorties were carried out by Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters. The main aim of the exercise was to test India's war preparedness in a war-like situation with Pakistan or China. The exercise also focussed joint maritime air operations with the Indian Navy. During the press conference, the IAF chief said: "Gagan Shakti conducted to exercise our resources. It was not against any country." "What we did in exercise Gagan Shakti is that we have walked the mile," India's air chief added. Speaking to reporters on India's global ambitions, Dhanoa said: "We don't aim at global dominance because as a country, we need to get economically well-off. We're helpful to our neigbours in any situation." "We have no intention of domination," he declared. "Pakistan will keep the Kashmir part boiling. It will continue to attack the military," Dhanoa told reporters, adding," any such attack may have unintended consequences which may result in an escalation." "In most countries, state has an army. But in Pakistan, the army has a state. If peace were to come,it will lose several of its privileges," he said. "I can't afford to put my children in Ivy League colleges & settle down in London. Like many of their generals do," he added. "For China, the geography works against them, especially in the Tibetan autonomous region. Over the past few years, we have seen significant increase in deployment of aircraft & air crew in Tibetan autonomous region," Dhanoa informed.

'We don't aim at global dominance, helpful towards our neigbours,' says IAF chief post-Gagan Shakti exercise

The Indian Air Force is prepared to fight a war at a short notice, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday (October 8).

Addressing IAF personnel on the Air Force Day,&nbsp; the Air Chief Marshal said the Air Force was fully geared up to face any security challenge to the country. 
 
&quot;We are prepared to fight at a short notice,&quot; he said, talking about the security scenario. 
 
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa also said that the Air Force was acquiring multi-spectrum strategic capabilities and remained committed to building a &quot;joint manship&quot; with the Indian Army and the Navy. 
 
The Air Chief Marshal said the security of all Air Force stations has been enhanced to combat any threat, including sub-conventional threats, after the terrorist attack on the IAF base station in Pathankot last year. 
 
In January last year, terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the air base. The attack claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The Air Chief Marshal said the security of all Air Force stations has been enhanced to combat any threat, including sub-conventional threats, after the terrorist attack on the IAF base station in Pathankot last year

The Indian Air Force is prepared to fight a war at a short notice, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday (October 8). Addressing IAF personnel on the Air Force Day, the Air Chief Marshal said the Air Force was fully geared up to face any security challenge to the country. "We are prepared to fight at a short notice," he said, talking about the security scenario. Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa also said that the Air Force was acquiring multi-spectrum strategic capabilities and remained committed to building a "joint manship" with the Indian Army and the Navy. The Air Chief Marshal said the security of all Air Force stations has been enhanced to combat any threat, including sub-conventional threats, after the terrorist attack on the IAF base station in Pathankot last year. In January last year, terrorists sneaked in from across the border and attacked the air base. The attack claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.

Prepared to fight war at short notice, says Air Chief Marshal on Air Force Day

Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa has written a personal letter to officers of the force, asking them to be prepared for operations at a &quot;very short notice&quot; to effectively deal with security challenges, including sub- conventional threat, to the country.

In a letter dated March 30, the IAF chief also touched upon a range of issues relating to service matters and asked the officers to be morally upright and mindful of their professional conduct so that image of the force is not tarnished

Talking about various security challenges confronting the country, Dhanoa, in an apparent reference to Pakistan backing terror groups targeting India, spoke about persistent &quot;sub- conventional threat&quot;, asserting the force should be prepared for operations at a &quot;very short notice&quot;

&quot;It was a personal letter the IAF chief wrote to the officers covering a wide range of issues that he felt were important,&quot; a senior IAF official said

In the letter, written three months after he took charge as IAF chief, Dhanoa also stressed on the need to mould IAF&#39;s training programme considering the evolving security scenario

Dhanoa also talked about the need for the IAF to remain ready for operations with its &quot;present holdings&quot;, seen as an reference to IAF&#39;s depleted strength of 33 squadrons of fighter aircraft instead of sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons

In the letter, he also talked about the need for the IAF to remain conscious about the new technological advancements in war fighting machinery as well as strength of India&#39;s adversaries

He also touched upon cases of alleged &quot;favouritism&quot; and &quot;sexual harassment&quot; in the IAF, stressing on the need to maintain high standards of morality and fairness

Dhanoa said image of IAF must not be allowed to affect at any cost. 
 
(PTI)

BS Dhanoa, in an apparent reference to Pakistan-backed terror groups targeting India, spoke about persistent 'sub- conventional threat' to the country

Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa has written a personal letter to officers of the force, asking them to be prepared for operations at a "very short notice" to effectively deal with security challenges, including sub- conventional threat, to the country. In a letter dated March 30, the IAF chief also touched upon a range of issues relating to service matters and asked the officers to be morally upright and mindful of their professional conduct so that image of the force is not tarnished Talking about various security challenges confronting the country, Dhanoa, in an apparent reference to Pakistan backing terror groups targeting India, spoke about persistent "sub- conventional threat", asserting the force should be prepared for operations at a "very short notice" "It was a personal letter the IAF chief wrote to the officers covering a wide range of issues that he felt were important," a senior IAF official said In the letter, written three months after he took charge as IAF chief, Dhanoa also stressed on the need to mould IAF's training programme considering the evolving security scenario Dhanoa also talked about the need for the IAF to remain ready for operations with its "present holdings", seen as an reference to IAF's depleted strength of 33 squadrons of fighter aircraft instead of sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons In the letter, he also talked about the need for the IAF to remain conscious about the new technological advancements in war fighting machinery as well as strength of India's adversaries He also touched upon cases of alleged "favouritism" and "sexual harassment" in the IAF, stressing on the need to maintain high standards of morality and fairness Dhanoa said image of IAF must not be allowed to affect at any cost. (PTI)

Indian Air Force chief asks officers to be ready for operations at 'very short notice'

&nbsp;Lieutenant&nbsp;General Bipin Rawat will be the next chief of the India Army and&nbsp;Air Marshal BS Dhanoa will head the Indian Air Force, the government announced on Saturday evening.

&quot;Government has decided to appoint Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, vice chief of army staff, as the next chief of army staff with effect from afternoon of December 31,&quot; the Defence Ministry said in a tweet. It also mentioned that Dhanoa would take over as the new Indian Air Force from the afternoon of December 31.

The incumbent army chief&nbsp;General Dalbir Singh and Air Force chief Arup Raha are set to retire on December 31.

Earlier, Anil Dhasmana was named as the chief of India&#39;s foreign intelligence agency RAW (Research and Ananlysis Wing) and Rajiv Jain was appointed the chief of Intelligence Bureau, the country&#39;s internal intelligence unit. Both of them will head the intelligence units for two years.

Rawat has reportedly superseded Lt Gens Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz to take over the reins of the Indian Army.

Rawat was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978 and has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service.

Government sources said Rawat was found best suited among the other candidates to deal with emerging challenges, including a reorganized and restructured military force in the north, continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the North-East.

Supersession in the army is not new though there has not been any such instances in the recent past. In 1983, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appointed Lt Gen A S Vaidya as army chief superseding Lt Gen S K Sinha, who resigned in protest.

Earlier in 1972, the Gandhi government side-stepped the very popular Lt General P S Bhagat, one of the handful of Indian Victoria Cross awardees from World War II, who was in line to succeed General (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw. This was done by giving his junior, General G G Bewoor a year&#39;s extension, during which time Bhagat retired. Bewoor, thus, succeeded Manekshaw.

Meanwhile, Dhanoa is a Kargil War veteran.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The incumbent army chief?General Dalbir Singh and Air Force chief Arup Raha are set to retire on December 31

Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat will be the next chief of the India Army and Air Marshal BS Dhanoa will head the Indian Air Force, the government announced on Saturday evening. "Government has decided to appoint Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, vice chief of army staff, as the next chief of army staff with effect from afternoon of December 31," the Defence Ministry said in a tweet. It also mentioned that Dhanoa would take over as the new Indian Air Force from the afternoon of December 31. The incumbent army chief General Dalbir Singh and Air Force chief Arup Raha are set to retire on December 31. Earlier, Anil Dhasmana was named as the chief of India's foreign intelligence agency RAW (Research and Ananlysis Wing) and Rajiv Jain was appointed the chief of Intelligence Bureau, the country's internal intelligence unit. Both of them will head the intelligence units for two years. Rawat has reportedly superseded Lt Gens Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz to take over the reins of the Indian Army. Rawat was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978 and has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service. Government sources said Rawat was found best suited among the other candidates to deal with emerging challenges, including a reorganized and restructured military force in the north, continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the North-East. Supersession in the army is not new though there has not been any such instances in the recent past. In 1983, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appointed Lt Gen A S Vaidya as army chief superseding Lt Gen S K Sinha, who resigned in protest. Earlier in 1972, the Gandhi government side-stepped the very popular Lt General P S Bhagat, one of the handful of Indian Victoria Cross awardees from World War II, who was in line to succeed General (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw. This was done by giving his junior, General G G Bewoor a year's extension, during which time Bhagat retired. Bewoor, thus, succeeded Manekshaw. Meanwhile, Dhanoa is a Kargil War veteran. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Bipin Rawat is India's new army chief; BS Dhanoa to head Air Force

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