India Air Force (IAF) chief B S Dhanoa today (25 March) said that when the Rafale fighter jets arrive in India, they will be the best combat aircraft in the Indian sub-continent and once inducted into the airforce, Pakistan will not attempt to come near the Line of Control (LoC) or the international border, reports ANI.
“When the Rafale comes in, it will ensure that the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold and they (Pakistan) will not come anywhere near our Line of Control or border. That kind of capability we will possess for which presently they (Pakistan) don't have an answer,” said the Air Marshal Dhanoa in an interview with the news agency.
The Rafale jets carry Meteor air-to-air missiles which can shoot down enemy planes at strikes ranges upto 150 kms.
Dhanoa added that Rafale would give the Indian armed forces strike and deterrent capabilities that was superior to what both Pakistan and China currently possess. "We are going to get Rafale in the month of September. Rafale will give a tremendous jump to our capability and it is superior to all the aircraft in the inventory of both our adversaries.”
Inducting Chinooks
IAF is also all set to induct the Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters into its fleet today. The Boeing-made helicopter is reportedly capable of transporting artillery guns to high altitudes and troops for action.
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