Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 10

In the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said while the chances of a full scale convention war were very low, terror attacks and sub-conventional warfare would continue to be primary concerns.Addressing mediapersons, the Air Chief said the armed forces were continuously preparing to meet this challenge. Stating that deterrence was an important aspect of preventing war, he said some gaps in security observed during the terror attack on Pathankot airbase earlier this year were being plugged with advanced surveillance technology, revamped training and induction of modern weapons and equipment. He claimed that airbases were better off now to take on attackers.Raha said the first Rafale squadron is expected to be operational in three years and the second would be fully functional in five-and-a-half years. One squadron each would be based in the eastern and western theatre.The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, being developed jointly with Russia, is expected to roll out in 7-10 years. It would have advanced features such as stealth, super cruise and advanced radar, avionics and weapons.On the controversy over the Seventh Pay Commission, he said while some of the issues have been addressed, several anomalies, including those related to allowances, remain.

Prez presents Standards to 2 IAF units

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 10

Asserting that India is firmly committed to peace, President Pranab Mukherjee, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said that we would use all our might to protect the sovereignty of our nation.Addressing IAF officers and men at the Ambala Air Force Station after presenting Standards to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron, the President said, “India’s increasing eminence in the comity of nations also draws its strength from the ever-increasing capabilities of our armed forces.”The President’s Standards are awarded to military establishments for having rendered exceptional service during war and peace. The Standards were received by Gp Capt Vineet Jindal, Commanding Officer, 501 Signals Unit, and Wg Cdr Abhay Phansalkar, Commanding Officer, 30 Squadron.The 501 Signals Unit, which commenced operations in 1966 and is now located at Barnala, is responsible for defending the Punjab Sector against the western adversary with its radars and aerostats. Raised at Tezpur on MiG-21s and now flying SU-30s from Pune, 30 Squadron’s vast responsibilities include maritime operations.Haryana Governor, Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command and South Western Air Command, Air Marshal SB Deo and Air Marshal RK Dhir along with a large number of senior Air Force and Army officers as well as civilian dignitaries were present on the occasion.The President also released a Special First Day Cover and brochure to mark the occasion. A flypast by Mi-17, Jaguar and Su-30 formations, performance by the Air Force Drill Team and scintillating aerobatics by the Sarang Helicopter Display Team and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team were other highlights of the event.

The winning units

• The 501 Signals Unit, which commenced operations in 1966 and is now located at Barnala, is responsible for defending the Punjab Sector against the western adversary with its radars and aerostats
• Raised at Tezpur on MiG-21s and now flying SU-30s from Pune, 30 Squadron’s vast responsibilities include maritime operations