Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), said on Monday that India was fully capable of handling any threat from China on the border standoff along the Line of Control (LAC ) in eastern Ladakh and that there was no doubt that the neighboring country surpasses us in any conflict scenario.
Bhadauria acknowledged the strength of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) saying its air force includes surface-to-air systems in the Ladakh theater, long-distance air-launched weapons, and Chengdu J-20, which is a fifth-generation fighter. with advanced sensors and weapons, but does not have advanced engine technology.
However, he said that China has its own areas of strength, but “we have adapted to all scenarios and we are fully capable of handling any threat.”
When asked about the progress of the disengagement talks with China in the Ladakh sector, Bhadauria said: “The disengagement talks, followed by a reduction in escalation, are underway. We hope that the talks advance along the lines that are expected ”.
Current progress, he said, was slow and there is an increase in digging effort for the winter in terms of forces on the ground and deployment of air assets at nearby airfields. “The defense forces see the terrestrial reality after that. Our future action will depend on the realities on the ground, ”he told reporters.
The IAF chief assured that the forces were firmly deployed and ready to handle any contingency along the border. “We have deployed to all relevant operational locations, necessary to access this area,” Bhadauria said.
India and China will hold the seventh round of corps commander-level talks on October 12 to discuss the way forward on the situation in Ladakh.
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