Subramaniam notes China could have almost twice as many fighter units as IAF by 2030.
Despite the Indian Army announcing that it had agreed with China to begin mutually ‘disengaging’ from contentious areas across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, tension remains high following the clash on June 15.
Reports and satellite imagery have raised concerns that China is increasing its troop concentrations in the region. The Indian Air Force began deploying fighter aircraft and helicopters to forward air bases in the region a week ago. But discourse on a potential conflict with China has mostly been dominated by a focus on ground forces. The potential use of air power on the border with China has been a subject of debate ever since the Jawaharlal Nehru government decided against deploying Indian Air Force fighter and attack aircraft against the invading Chinese forces in 1962.Read More…