Air Marshall: Airforce pushing for infra development for defence in Northeast

Air Marshall SP Dharkar, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command, has said that the airforce is pushing for development in infrastructure and equipment in a bid to improve the air defence of Northeast. 

While interacting with media during a programme in Guwahati today, Air Marshall Dharkar said that the government has given a major infrastructure development push in the bordering areas of Northeast over the past few years. Here Air Marshall Dharkar said that the airforce is also pushing for infrastructure development in the region and trying to make for the availability of lesser airfields in Northeast. 

"Infrastructure development in the Northeastern region has been given a lot of impetus and importance by the government in the recent past. It is a continuously building up process. Infrastructure on our own side is also building up very very quickly. And I am certain everybody is well sized of this particular issue. There are a number of airfields that everybody has around us. I our case we also have the capability and So I am sure that the availability or the limitation of having lesser airfields is just a matter of time. We are coming up on our side as in any other neighbouring country," said Air Marshall Dharkar.  

The Air Marshall, further said that in situations of emergency, the entire fleet of the airforce can be shifted to one particular part of the country from other parts. He said that the airforce can even position one of the two Rafale squadrons under its command in the Northeastern areas if need arises.

"Flexibility of airpower and the ability of aircraft to be operated from any different location is what is unique to the Air Force. In the same manner, we have two Rafale squadrons, and if the requirement arises Air Headquarters would take that call and position the second Rafale second squadron here if that is what is going to provide us that requisite amount of security as may be necessary at that given time."