The Indian Air Force has the capability of locating, fixing and striking across the border, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa today said, adding that any decision on a surgical strike would be taken by the government. He also asserted that India is prepared to effectively counter any threat from China while confronting a two-front war also involving Pakistan.
"We need 42 squadrons to carry out full spectrum operations, but it doesn't mean we can't fight a two-front scenario. There is a Plan B," he said at a press conference ahead of Air Force Day.
The Air Chief was responding to questions about Pakistan's recent boast of short-range nuclear weapons to counter India's "Cold Start doctrine" and also on the Doklam standoff that ended in August. The "Cold Start doctrine" is a strategy to avoid a full-blown war using a low-intensity offensive.
"As far as the IAF is concerned, it has the ability to locate, fix and strike and that is not only for tactical nuclear weapons but for other targets across the border (as well)," he said.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat had said last month that the country should be prepared for a two-front war, stressing that China had started "flexing its muscles" and there seemed to be no scope for reconciliation with Pakistan, whose military and polity saw India as the adversary.
But the Air Force is "ready for full spectrum operation", he said. The Air Force would achieve its sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons by 2032.
"We expect them to withdraw," he said.
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