IAF Chief Highlights Shortage Of Fighter Squadrons, Says It’s Like Playing Cricket With Seven Players

Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, in an interview with Sushant Singh of the Indian Express, has said that the Indian Air Force is dealing with an acute shortage of fighter jets, with its sanctioned fleet size of 42 squadrons – decided based on a two-front war threat – shrinking to around 32 fighter squadrons.

Talking about the two front threat, Dhanoa said “reduced numbers place a severe handicap akin to a cricket team playing with 7 players instead of 11. Though we are operating under challenging conditions, we have devised mitigating strategies,” he asserted.

However, the Air Chief also said that the IAF is fully prepared to take on Pakistan and its proxies, adding that the government would have to make the call. “The use of air power in response to terrorist attacks is an option that is to be taken by the government. IAF is prepared for any eventuality,” he was quoted as saying.

The Air Marshal also expressed his objections to the proposal of establishing an Integrated Theatre Commands of Army, Navy and the IAF.

“You could argue that this concept is worth attempting if we had older types of air assets whose reach was limited, for which they would have to be placed in specific locations and concentrate their efforts to achieve the military objectives in a sector,” the Air Chief said.

Dhanoa said the IAF has the capability to strike against the Maoists, but he does not envisage “any air attacks in India’s own territory”. “Our roles are restricted to providing intelligence and surveillance. We do not envisage carrying out air attacks on our territory to prevent any sliver of possibility for collateral damage. But we have the capability, and are in a position to strike as and when we are cleared to do so by the government,” he was quoted by the daily as saying.