Can’t point to any reason’: IAF chief on provocations by the Chinese along LAC in Ladakh

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday has said air activity across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is being continuously monitored. “We scramble our fighter jets as soon as we monitor any Chinese activities on the LAC,” he said.

While talking to India Today, he said, “We have started deploying our radars all along the LAC in the eastern Ladakh sector. Gradually, we have integrated all these radars with our IACCS system so that we are able to monitor the air activity.”

He further added, “We have also bolstered the surface-to-air ground weapon capabilities along the borders and increased mobile observation posts. We get a lot of input from the Army and other agencies deployed there. Chinese aircraft activity is closely monitored by us. Whenever we see Chinese aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft coming too close to the LAC, we take our appropriate measures by scrambling aircraft.”

The Air Chief Marshal further informed that the S-400 air defence missile system is being deployed on time and will be deployed to both China and Pakistan borders.

Talking about the recently launched Agnipath scheme, he said that the Indian Air Force is getting a very good response to the Agnipath recruitment scheme. We have received more than 7.5 lakh applications from aspirants from across the country.

On the Air Force Day Parade this year, Chaudhari said it will be held in Chandigarh. “The parade flypast is being shifted to Chandigarh and it will be held over the Sukhna lake, where a large number of people will be able to witness the fighter aircraft and helicopters perform on October 8,” the IAF chief said.