New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) The IAF prepares itself for the "worst case scenario" and its focus is on increasing strength in cyber and space domains, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhuri said on Tuesday, adding that the IAF has signalled its readiness from its non-escalatory measures along the LAC.
The officer was interacting with the media ahead of 90th Air Force Day on October 8.
"We are always prepared for any contingency to the best of our ability. Wherever we feel we are lacking, we try to compensate with use of better training and better tactics. We are looking for more domains than the traditional domains. Our focus is on increasing our strength in cyber and space domains," he said.
The IAF chief said that the future conflicts can be short and swift, and of high intensity or they can be protracted, low-intensity or long duration conflicts as well.
"The predictability of the future conflicts will be based on continuously changing geopolitical scenario. But we prepare ourselves for the worst case scenario," he said.
Responding to a query on air space violations by China along the LAC, he said that the IAF continuously monitors the activities of the PLA Air Force and has increased the strength of radars there.
"Disengagement has taken place in areas along the LAC. We are keeping an eye on Chinese Air Force activities. We have increased the presence of radars and air defence networks. We have taken appropriate non escalatory measures. We have signalled our readiness from our actions."
He said that India and China already have confidence building measures and the IAF sees that none of the CBMs are violated.
Asked about the benchmark for the situation along the LAC to be called normal, the IAF chief said that the best benchmark would be a return to the status quo.
"That is the ideal situation that we are looking for. So far as our preparations are concerned it's a continuous effort irrespective of any belligerent action by the Chinese," he added.
Commenting on IAF's objections with the process of integration and theatre commands, the Air Chief Marshal said the IAF is "not opposing any process of theatre commands."
"We only have certain reservations with the structures. We are fully supporting the process of integration. We want that the structures should be future ready, for cyber warfare, and not just remain limited to traditional warfare. We want reduction in the layers of command and control," he said.
He said that the recent events globally have indicated that a strong military is imperative to ward off threats.
"IAF is a coercive deterrent as well as a war winning fighting force. New domains of cyber and space are changing the warfare. We are transforming the air force to win tomorrow' wars."
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