Security scenario in India’s neighbourhood volcanic: IAF chief

HINDON - The security scenario in India’s neighbourhood is “volcanic” and could blow up anytime, a top military commander said Friday.

“The current security scenario is like a volcano and may test your skills anytime without warning. These times require swift action. Be more vigilant and prompt,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, said in his address during the Air Force Day parade here.

Interacting with the media later, Naik elaborated that there “was no fresh threat as such”.

“I described the security situation as volcanic because it is not known when it would erupt,” he said.

Naik said the operational preparedness and “meticulous use of existing capabilities” was the key to meet the threat with “speed of response, flexibility and precision”.

He said that IAF would be a “potent” aerospace power in the next 5-7 years and the transition to advanced technology would be “smooth”.

“The air force is moving quickly to become a network-centric aerospace power,” he said, pointing to the new ASNET communication network that had altered the way the IAF conducted its operations.

As part of its transformational plan, the IAF is mulling the induction by 2017 of around 250-300 fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) being co-developed with Russia.

Other inductions will include additional Sukhoi-30MKIs, the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) and the under-production indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA). The Tejas is expected to join the fleet from May 2011.

The lucrative $10-billion MMRCA project to acquire 126 fighters has now entered a decisive phase with field trials of the six foreign jets in contention having been completed and the results being evaluated before the aircraft is eventually selected.

On the transport front, the first of the six C-130J Super Hercules medium-lift aircraft is expected in February 2011, with deliveries being completed by the end of the year.

The IAF is also evaluating the 70-tonne capacity C-17 Globemaster III airlifter and a decision on acquiring it could well be taken during US President Barack Obama’s visit to India in November.

“We have the responsibility to absorb the new technology and operate all systems effectively to secure, protect and to preserve air force’s ground and air assets with diligence and utmost prudence,” Naik said.