US upgrade of Pakistan Air Force “worrisome,” says Indian Air Force chief
22 Aug 2008
Kuala Lumpur: Visiting Indian Air Force chief, air chief marshal Fali Homi Major said he does not see the modernization and upgrade of Pakistan Air Force capabilities as a threat, but rather as "worrisome." The IAF chief is visiting Malaysian bases where Indian Air Force personnel are training their Malaysian counterparts to handle the recently inducted Russian Su-30 MKM aircraft.
"India does not see it as a threat, but it is worrisome, especially with the situation there now," ACM Major said, adding, India was the only "stable country" in that part of world.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is currently in the process of inducting the Russian Su-30MKM aircraft, of which six were delivered last year. The remaining12 aircraft are due for delivery by the end of this year.
As for the Indian Air Force's preparedness, ACM Major said the "operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces today is capability-based and not threat-based". The Indian armed forces, he said, were operationally prepared to fight the entire spectrum of warfare "at all times."
Referring to the IAFs ageing fleet of MiG fighters, ACM Major said "all MiG-21s would be phased out by 2011, except the 120 MiG-21s which have been upgraded and are called Bison". The Bisons would be used till 2025.
Though the Bisons were upgraded with Russian help, the systems on board are Indian, French and Israeli. "We have expertise in India to do it," ACM Major said, adding, the SU-30 MKI used by India had most of their on board systems developed indigenously.
"It speaks a lot about the technology in India today," ACM Major said.
