At a press conference on the sidelines of the IAF and the French Air and Space Force bilateral exercise ‘Desert Knight-21’, Bhadauria said: “If they can be aggressive, we can also be aggressive. We are fully prepared.”
When asked if similar exercises are also taking place on the eastern border, Bhadauria said: “The bilateral exercises are not part of the exercises against any country. It is to develop capacity and improve bilateral relations.”
The Chief Air Marshal said the current vision is to incorporate all the latest technologies and sensors into our fifth generation aircraft.
So far, the IAF has incorporated eight of the 36 Rafale, which are also capable of launching nuclear weapons, under the 59 billion rupee deal signed with France in September 2016.
the Head of the IAF He said that eight Rafale fighter jets have arrived in India and three will arrive by the end of the month. “For next year the induction of the jets will conclude,” he confirmed.
“Rafale is a serious competitor to our project to purchase 114 multi-role combat aircraft,” he added.
The Air Chief of Staff also said that India has started its fifth generation fighter jet program with the Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) within the framework of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) aircraft project.
The initial priority was to get the Rafale operational and also to integrate with the existing combat fleets, with the Su-30 being the main one and that has already been done, Bhaduaria said.
“We would like to add sixth-generation capabilities on that, but we would like to focus on fifth-generation fighter jets first,” added the IAF chief.
Speaking of the bonhomie between the two nations on the sidelines, the French ambassador to India Emmanuel lenain He said, “Rafale is the reflection of this strengthened cooperation and partnership.”
He said this partnership has persisted through good times and bad.
“When India decided to conduct a nuclear test in PokhranWe were on their side because we understand their strategic autonomy ”, he added.
Exercise Desert Knight-2021 has seen India and France deploy fighters, transport aircraft and refueling aircraft to the air with the aim of “providing operational exposure and sharing best practices to enhance combat capabilities,” officials said. previously.
(With contributions from the agency)
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