India’s Indigenous Stealth Fighter And More: Five Things That New Air Force Chief Said Today

At a press conference held today (4 October) noon, the new Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria made several important announcements and clarifications.

Here are five important points addressed by the Air Chief at the presser:

1. The talk of a contract for another 36 Rafale aircraft being in the pipeline is not substantiated; no decision has been taken yet in this regard.

2. Considering the amount of resources the country has dedicated to the Indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s own 5th generation fighter in development, the IAF has no plans to go for importing any other country’s 5th generation jets.

3. The process for procuring another 12 Su 30MKI fighter aircraft has been initiated; 249 of these aircraft are already in service with the IAF.

4. The IAF has begun giving midlife upgrades to MiG 29, Jaguar and Mirage fighters as part of its plan to keep up the combat ability of the aircraft over time.

5. Joint air force exercises have been finalised throughout 2020 with a number of countries, including Russia, the US and France.