The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, on Tuesday said India was not worried over reports of Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal.
Though India has a doctrine of no first use, a retaliatory strike by it would be both “heavy and hard,” he asserted.
“Our nuclear policy is of no first use [of nuclear weapons] and not against non-nuclear weapons state…it also talks of a heavy response in case of a nuclear attack on our soil…very hard retaliation,” the Air Chief said during his farewell media interaction here.
‘No game changer'
Air Chief Marshal Naik was responding to a question whether the recent test of Nasr nuclear-weapons capable tactical missile by Pakistan was a “game-changer.”
He said he neither viewed the short-range missile as a game changer in strategic or tactical terms nor worried over reports that Pakistan was stock-piling nuclear weapons.
Pakistan's plans
Reports had said Islamabad plans to add two dozen nuclear-weapons capable short-range missiles that can hit major Indian cities.
Air Chief Marshal Naik, who hands over charge to Air Marshal N.A.K. Browne on July 31, expressed satisfaction at the growth trajectory of the IAF.
The Air Force in the next few years would have to prepare and train its personnel to absorb modern technology.
On the northeast front, he said work to modernise the advanced landing grounds (ALG) at Pasighat, Along and Menchuka and airfields at Chabua, Tezpur, Mohanbari, Jorhat and Hashimaraup would begin soon. The move was part of the IAF's plan to shore up its defence along the border with China.
On purchase of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, he said the IAF did not have any favourites from among Eurofighter Typhoon and French Rafale, down selected in May. The contract would go to the manufacturer with lowest bid when the commercial offers are opened in about five to six weeks time.
Training of pilots
To overcome the handicap of basic training of pilots affected by problems with HPT32 Deepak, the IAF had selected Swiss Pilatus. Negotiations would begin to procure 75 aircraft.
On the Chief of the Defence Staff issue, the Air Chief said he did not favour such a post unless the person became a single-point military adviser to the government. In any case, such a post would require advanced technological inputs that were still being put in place.
Reaffirming India's ability to carry out an Abbottabad-type operation, he said: “we have the capability of conducting similar operation but not that.”
The Air Chief was responding to question on the U.S. Special Forces eliminating Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May.
Keywords: India's n-policy, nuclear arsenal
It is a sad commentary on the Defence Research & Development Organisation and the Defence related Industry (mostly under Govt. control) that after more than 60 yrs of Independence and much talk of self sufficiency in country's defence needs,we are required to import aircraft for giving basic training to Airforce pilots. Forget about designing and producing our own combat aircraft. All this after spending thousands of crores on a huge scientific establishment headed by a Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence. Is not an explanation called for from this white elephant.There appears to be an urgent need to carry out a cost vs benefit analysis of the DRDO and appropriate measures taken to make it more responsive to the needs of the Armed Forces.
No doubt,our defence modernisation should be a continuous process to outsmart others,as the military might decides peace in the modern world.But the controvertial and agressive remarks should be avoided.
By all means we have right to talk about our military preparednes ,as far as Kashmir issue is concerned please do not compare our military generals with Pakistan.Indian armed forces are known for their integrity and the respect for Democracy.
If the Air Chief boasts about hitting Pakistan heavy and hard, I hope he has enough science in his background to know that any nuclear strike that is heavy and hard will eliminate us too with fallout and heavy radiation. We have three main english news channels, all owned by foreign (U.S. groups and controlled by them) A lot of destabilzsation is going on through these foreign channels under the banner of eradicating corruption. Times Now smart young talksperson starts by shouting out why the new Pakistan Foreign minister first went to Kashmir to speak to the separatists before coming to India. The lady is a free individual and is not answerable to us. We must treat this lovely lady with courtesy and allow her to conduct her business as she deems fit. All this cankering about why Pakistan is sending terrorists is pure rubbish as Pakistan has been suffering from more mulitple terror attacks than us Indians. These too, occur in the mosques..could these terrorists be Pakistanis? I wonder.
I wonder why these aggressive remarks are made by Indian and Pakistani war-mongering Generals every time there are diplomatic talks going on. Are they not interested in peace? As a Kashmiri I urge them to restrain from these remarks at these crucial junctures even though I know that the Armies of both the countries don't want the Kashmir issue to be solved. But please don't keep a whole state hostage by your jingoistic discourse that have every potential to disrupt the talks.
@Guha Roy. I agree with your comments regarding Air India. And I feel that we should put efforts to develop indigenous military technology which would boost the employment. Having said that, I think IAF know what they are doing and what they need to do. This is national defense... unlike a family budget, if things get out of hands, nothing can wait until economy stabilizes.The government should realize what is at stake.
7.5% growth of the GDP sounds minimal to you? And what is the connection between buying fighter aircraft from Europe and inflation? I am completely confused. Please explain!
India is gearing up for next generation fighter aircraft , that's why we are procuring advance aircraft such as Eurofighter Typhoon and French Rafale for combat operations in the future .Pakistan is also strengthening its air defense by adding up U.S made advanced fighter craft.It's the time to strengthen our air defense. Government can feed the poor by supplying rice,wheat to the poor without dumping it in the sea. Government has to build proper storage facility for storage of wheat and rice. They can plan for better food processing technique. Government should ask the Swiss banks to pay tax for black money that is being deposited in Sweden. India can use this money to many other development programs .Don't think that defense spending is waste.We should prepare ourselves to face any kind of threat from Pakistan and China.Modern day war fare is all about the use of technology for military operation.The county with better technology wins.
Even after decades of HAL/NAL establishment, we are still procuring TRAINER jets? On what basis we are planning to land on moon and for what sake when we are devoid of the basic technologies? -> This is what happens when both political leadership and office bearers are bankrupt of vision and lack a strong bond to their responsibilities. Also the points raised by S Guha Roy is very apt.
If our nuclear buildup is sufficient to thwart the ill designs of our neighbours, we need not buy 125 fighter aircraft at this moment when inflation is out of control and growth minimal. Air India should also be stopped from acquiring new aircraft. The Govt is politiking on these issues and helping western countries to in generating employment in these countries without finding any solution for the poor masses of this country. Defence preparedness is necessary but new acquisitions can be postponed until the economy stabilises.
Verbal nuclear warfare between the two countries should be avoided.Clearly it is not a CBM.
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