Situation still 'live' after surgical strikes: Air Force chief Arup Raha

The situation is “live” in the wake of the surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control and the armed forces are ready to deal with any challenge, Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on Tuesday.

He also said it was just a “coincidence” that Pakistan’s air force’s “High Mark” exercise took place at a time when tension between India and Pakistan was high.

Even as he refused to take questions on the surgical strikes by the army last week during his customary annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, Raha said the force has the power to punish its enemy, but a decision on using it in an offensive role will have to be taken by the government.

“Air Force, army and navy are always ready,” Raha, who is also the Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee, said.

When told would it not be a let down if he did not comment on the surgical strikes, Raha candidly said he was in “half a mind” to call off the media interaction because he knew everybody is charged up and he will be asked questions on the issue.

“I think I should not say anything because it is very sensitive and things are still live,” the Air Chief Marshal said.

He asserted that the IAF is capable of taking on any contingency that one can think of.

Describing the Rafale fighter jets as ‘exceptional’, Raha said the force would like to have more of the aircraft and insisted that the recently signed contract for 36 fighters was better than other such deals.

He also spoke about ‘unsolicited offers’ that India has received from Boeing, Saab and Lockheed Martin to manufacture fighter aircraft in India and said the company which offers the best deal will be selected.

He said Saab’s Gripen is a ‘good fighter’ as compared to others like F-16 of Lockheed Martin but the decision will depend on many factors.

“Any air force will be proud to have aircraft of the Rafale class which is in mid-weight category. In terms of its weapons capability, air-to-air missiles, beyond visual range, air-to-ground, its avionics, instrumentation and warfare suite, it is exceptional and one of the leading aircraft of the current generation,” Raha said.

Raha also said IAF would also be upgrading the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets besides the Jaguar.

On the integration of BrahMos missiles with the Sukhoi 30 MKI, Raha said, ‘We hope to fire a live missile in three months’.

The IAF chief, who heads the Chiefs of Staff Committee, a body of the three service chiefs, said he hoped the government would resolve the issues of the 7th Pay Commission and that the forces have decided to implement it based on the government’s assurances.

Raha is the first chief among the three services to face the media after the surgical strikes.

Officials have remained tight-lipped about the operation except for a short and crisp statement by Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh. 

Image: An army soldier guards the Line of Control in Kashmir. Photograph: Farooq Khan-Pool/Getty Images