New Delhi, February 28

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshall RKS Bhadauria on Friday said the induction of 36 Rafale jets would not be sufficient to take care of the force’s requirements and the need of the hour was to focus on developing indigenous platforms. The IAF Chief was speaking at a seminar themed ‘Air power in no war no peace scenario,’ organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat also attended the seminar.

Stressing upon the importance of developing indigenous technology, Air Chief Marshal Bhaduria said, “The 36 Rafale jets will alone not provide us solution for the IAF’s need. We need to be able to use the indigenous Astra missile on the Su30s and across other fighter aircraft, like Mig-29, for better performance of air power.”

He said the Indian Air Force would be “very happy” if in the next air skirmish, weapons and missiles used by it are indigenously built. Rafale would need to be complimented with similar capabilities on other platforms, he said. — TNS