India is militarily very well-positioned, strongly deployed and ready to take on any threat from China in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the frontier, said Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria on Monday.
“There is no question of China getting the better of us,” said the IAF chief, adding that there were “no indications” as yet of a collusive China-Pakistan threat in the ongoing military confrontation in eastern Ladakh since early-May.
“We have made deployment in all relevant areas; Ladakh is a small part,” he said.
The Air Chief Marshal said the IAF is “very well-positioned” to deal with any action along the northern border. Induction of Rafale jets has given us an operational edge, he added.
On possible use of Pakistani air bases by China, the IAF Chief said it would mean a collusive threat and “we will tackle it”. “We are aware they are cooperating closely. There is a significant threat, but so far there is no such indication that they are deployed for a two-front war,” he said.
On the delivery schedule of Rafale jets, he said five planes were expected beginning November. “Next year, the first squadron will be ready and by 2023, both squadrons (36 planes) will be ready and inducted,” he said.
