Hindon (UP): The Indian Air Force is prepared to fight a war at a "short notice" and fully geared up to respond to any security challenge to the country in the most befitting manner, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday.
The IAF chief also said that the uncertainties in the present geo-political environment in the region may require the IAF to fight a "short" and "swift war".
"We are prepared to fight at a short notice should the need arise," he said while addressing an event at the air base here on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the IAF. The comments came amid China's muscle flexing in the Dokalam Plateau and continued cross-border terror activities by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
The IAF chief spoke on a variety of issues, including the possible security challenge facing the country, stating that the focus was to transform the IAF into a technology intensive force in the next few years to significantly enhance its overall prowess.
"I assure my countrymen that these men and women under my command are confident to take on any threat and fully prepared to undertake full spectrum of air operation and respond to any challenge in the most befitting manner," he said, in the presence of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and top echelons of the IAF.
Separately, in a message published in an IAF booklet, Dhanoa said the uncertainties in the current environment in the region may require IAF to act in varied challenging situations.
"The nature of conflict in the present geo-political environment may require us to fight a short and swift war for which we need to be alert and prepared to fight on a short notice," he said.
The IAF also presented an impressive parade with its jets and helicopters giving a glimpse of the force's lethal strike capability. Dhanoa also conferred Vayu Sena Medal to a number of IAF personnel.
Dhanoa said that after the terror attack on the Pathankot base, security has been significantly strengthened at all IAF bases to counter sub-conventional and other threats.
He also emphasised on the need to have joint planning and coordination among the IAF, the Army and the Navy to enhance the overall defence capability of the country.
"Indian Air Force is firm in its belief that joint planning and operations are the way ahead for which core competencies of each service must be synergised to generate desired effect and capability," he said.
The IAF chief also asked all air warriors to remain combat ready. "It is the duty of each one of us to remain combat worthy, whether on the ground or in the air, and also maintain our combat systems operational for any contingencies at a short notice."
Mi-17 chopper may have crashed due to detachment of tail rotor: IAF chief
Hindon (UP): The Mi-17 helicopter crash in Tawang, in which seven military personnel were killed, may have been caused due to the disengagement of the chopper's tail rotor, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said on Sunday.
Dhanoa also said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot afford to lose valuable lives and assets in accidents, noting that the losses during peace time was a cause of concern.
Five IAF personnel, including two pilots, and two army men were killed when the Mi-17 V5 medium-lift chopper crashed and burst into flames last Friday near Tawang.
"Prima facie it appears that the tail rotor of the chopper had come off. It will not be proper for me to say why it came off as a court of inquiry has already been ordered to probe the crash," the IAF chief told reporters on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the Air Force Day.
Dhanoa said there was no technical problem in the engine of the aircraft as the Mi 17 V5 fleet was still flying.
"I think there is no problem in the machine as the chopper is flying even today," he said.
In his address at the event, the IAF chief talked about the helicopter crash and paid homage to the seven military personnel killed in it.
"Notwithstanding the high intensity of our flying, we cannot afford to have accidents and lose valuable lives and assets. Our losses during peace time is a cause of concern and we are making concerted efforts to prevent accidents and preserve our assets," he said.
The IAF has lost a number of fighter jets and choppers in crashes in the last few years.
The Russian-manufactured helicopter was carrying supplies to a forward post of the Indian Army in the mountainous region near the Sino-India border.
Earlier, in a message published in an IAF booklet, Dhanoa said IAF's assets are scarce and expensive and the force cannot afford to lose them on account of any carelessness, ignorance or unprofessionalism.