The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to deploy the first fleet of Rafale aircraft along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. As the IAF top commanders are scheduled to meet in a three-day conference starting Wednesday, July 22, they will do a comprehensive review of India’s air defense system. Sources say that the IAF commanders are also expected to discuss the deployment of Rafale aircraft along the Indo-Tibet border.
The first fleet of six Rafale aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to India in the month of August 2020. Soon they will be inducted into the IAF fighter fleet.
After June 15 when 20 brave Indian soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty while countering Chinese troops near Galwan Valley, the Indian Army has significantly enhanced its patrolling activities along the borders. The Indian Air Force has also been doing night air combat patrols in the eastern Ladakh region.
India wants to give a clear and firm message to the Chinese PLA that it is not leaving an inch of land unmonitored. It also wants to want China that the Indian defense system is very much capable and well prepared to deal with any situation, sudden or planned, arising in this region.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while his visit to the forward posts along the LAC in Ladakh this week, also gave the same message that no one can capture India’s land. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also visited the Army base in Neemu in Leh where he met and greeted injured soldiers.
The IAF has deployed almost all its front-line combat aircraft like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 at key frontier IAF bases in East Ladakh and locations along the LAC. The IAF has also deployed Apache attack helicopters and Chinook helicopters to transport troops to various advanced locations. With the deployment of Rafale aircraft, China would think twice before indulging in any adventurism along the LAC.
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