The Hindu : IAF to raise force to guard airports

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 02, 2002

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IAF to raise force to guard airports

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) today revealed its plans to add more punch to its strike force with new inductions and selective upgrades. These measures will supplement improvements to the air detection systems and the extra attention being paid to its workforce.

The IAF will also raise a ``Tiger Force'' for guarding airports and expensive assets. These observations were made by the Chief of Air Staff, S. Krishnaswamy, during his customary interaction with newspersons before Air Force Day.

He allayed fears over forward deployment corroding IAF's fighting ability or the training schedule. He said the understanding with the Army in undertaking joint operations was ``exceptional'' and participation in counter-insurgency operations was taking place whenever it was deemed necessary.

The IAF, he said, will receive six refuelling aircraft currently being assembled in Ukraine. The first of the IL-78 dual mode aircraft are expected in January and will be based in Agra, home to the Army's para-commandos. Similar to the IAF workhorse, the IL-76, the tanker has a more powerful engine and can also be used for ferrying troops and cargo. At the same time, the fuel acceptance capability of Jaguars, Sukhoi-30 MKIs and Mirage-2000s was being activated.

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