Any future conflict will require the integration of all elements of national security apparatus to make an all-of-nation-approach, he said.
Air Chief Marshall Vivek Ram Chaudhuri spoke about India’s threat from China and Pakistan to PTI on Sunday.
India should comprehend its western and northern borders as a “two front contingency” and act accordingly. Pakistan and China can attack India on all fronts, starting from military standoffs to information manipulation and black outs. India’s security doctrines will have to cater to such possibilities, he said.
His interviewer then asked: Can the Russian aggression against Ukraine encourage China to take more aggressive posturing along the LoC? Military planners are assessing the effects of global events and geopolitical developments on India’s engagement with Beijing, he remarked.
“ As a nation, we need to identify our immediate and future threats accurately. Only then necessary capability responses can be developed to counter them” he further said.
IAF Can Deliver the Desired Punch in a Short Span of Time
Recently, China has been rapidly deploying its air assets in eastern Ladakh. When asked about this, he said: “ the IAF can deliver the desired punch when required within a short span of time.” The Air Chief Marshall then listed rapid geopolitical upheavals.
“Any future conflict will require the integration of all elements of the national security apparatus to make an all nation approach. We gave certain challenges on our western and northern borders, primarily due to unsettled borders. It would be prudent for us to comprehend our situation as a ‘ two front contingency’ and prepare for it”, he said.
India’s previous service chiefs has raised concerns about a coordinated threat from both sides.
Air Chief Marshall Vivek Ram Chaudhari seems to have a plan against the threat. “We are also cognisant of the need to be prepared for an event based short duration operation.
This necessitates quick planning, rapid deployment of assets and swift action. IAF is working intricately on all these aspects to build a credible force to cater to all contingencies” , he said.
Need a Long Term View to the Issue, says Air Chief Marshall
Indian security planners often argue for a comprehensive security architecture to combat simultaneous threats.
The Air Chief Marshall discussed such views. “We must take a longer term view and look at the manifestation of hostile forces rather than compare threats.
We face a different adversary on our western and northern borders, both in terms of nature and numbers. As defence forces, we remain vigilant to respond to any threat and safeguard our national security at all costs”, he said.
The Indian armed forces have every means at hand to deter any “misadventure on our borders”, he asserted. On China expanding its assets along the LAC, he said : “The IAF continually keeps abreast of capability development across the borders.
It may take actions to mitigate any threats that such developments may cause”.
“ I am happy to see the pace of our infrastructure upgrade to meet the new requirements of our new inductions and operational imperatives”, he said.
Chinook helicopters have also started operating from one of the bases in the east. Also the armed forces have completed the infrastructure for a Rafale squadron in the area, he said.
“While I would not comment upon our actual deployment, it would suffice to say that the IAF can deliver the desired punch when required over a short span of time,” he said.
“There is a need of maintaining peace, tranquility, freedom of movement and equal rights for all nations in the region, the IAF can play a role in it,” he said.
(Inputs, PTI)
