‘Our Security Scenario Is Influenced By Unstable Neighbours With Unsettled Borders’: IAF Chief Takes On China, Pak

<p><strong>New Delhi: </strong>Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, on Wednesday said India&rsquo;s security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbours with unsettled borders, adding it should be made clear to the world that New Delhi presently has capability and will respond at a level deemed appropriate.</p> <p>Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said China poses a significant and long-term challenge to India&rsquo;s strategic goals.</p> <p>&ldquo;China&rsquo;s hegemonic policies can provide opportunities for India to leverage in trade and military domains,&rdquo; he added.</p> <p>Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said both People&rsquo;s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Pakistan Air Force have enhanced their military capabilities in equipment and infrastructure.</p> <p>&ldquo;We must reassess our strategic priorities and realign actions to ensure that we don't get left behind. Our security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbours with unsettled borders, which could be a flashpoint in the future,&rdquo; ANI quoted Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari as saying in the national capital.</p> <p>The Chief of Air Staff said Pakistan is &ldquo;unlikely to shed its Kashmir-oriented strategy&rdquo; and will continue to sponsor terrorism.</p> <p>&ldquo;The Pakistan armed forces have formulated a new concept of war-fighting and have acquired and equipped itself with latest technology, aircraft and upgraded its defence capabilities,&rdquo; he added.</p> <p>Asserting the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to be rapidly modernized, expand its fleet and improve indigenous manufacturing capabilities, the Air Chief Marshal said: &ldquo;In the future, we could be attacked from all fronts, starting from economic strangulation to diplomatic isolation and military stand-offs to info blackouts in the form of attack by a distributed denial of services. We will need to prepare for the full spectrum.&rdquo;</p> <p>&ldquo;Strategically, we are making a transition from fighting a predominantly defensive war to adopting a more aggressive approach for an offensive defence under the nuclear umbrella,&rdquo; he added.</p> <p>Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari further said India has demonstrated its capabilities during standoff on the northern border while handling the national Covid response.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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