SHILLONG: The Eastern Air Command here is prepared for any crisis, said Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar in the wake of the growing Indo-Pakistan border tension.
Speaking to media persons at the Air Fest 2016 at the Eastern Air Command headquarters in Upper Shillong on Saturday, the air officer commanding-in-chief said, “War is not good for anyone but India cannot let any country dictate terms and kill Indian soldiers.”
Kumar said Pakistan has made it a state policy to use unconventional warfare since they could not match the military strength of India, which retaliated at the Line of Control to the neighbouring country’s attacks and killing of soldiers. “We mean business,” he added.
Reacting to a query about the situation with neighbouring China, the EAC Chief said the Indian Air Force is looking to build its capability to meet the challenges though they don’t look at any country as competitor.
He, however, denied reports of Pakistan and China signing a military alliance saying they maintained that both the countries would be concerned if anyone is attacked. Kumar said the activities taking place in western areas “need not be transferred to the eastern part and the issue is confined to that particular areas”.
Asked about the challenges in the eastern sector, he said the two major challenges here are terrain and weather and all the air operations here are to be conducted at a higher altitude. “But with infrastructure development, the eastern sector will have better equipment and services.”
Kumar said with the finalisation of Rafale deal, a Rafale squadron would be formed at the Eastern Air Command.
When asked about the advance landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh, he said of the seven ALGs, five have been inaugurated and two would be inaugurated at the end of this year. The work for the Tawang ALG will begin next year.
