New Delhi, Sep 25 Air Marshal NAK Browne, who recently took over as Chief of the Western Air Command said here today that steps are being taken to strengthen the command and improve infrastructure in the next two years.
The steps would include the induction of two SU-M 30 squadrons, installation of two Rohini radars to monitor the international border in Punjab and improvement of the infrastructure at the airfields to improve their operational capability.
Addressing a press conference here today, Air Marshal Browne said, :"We have deployed a squadron of SU-M30 in the eastern sector, and two more squadrons will be operational by 2011 and they will be in the Punjab sector that is our area of operation."
Air Marshal Browne said that the Nyoma airstrip in the Ladakh region would become operational for fighter aircraft.
" We need concrete surface for fighter aircraft", and pointed out that efforts would be made to develop infrastructure within a time frame, Concentrated attention was needed to improve the infrastructure in the northern region.
He also added that the IAF would deploy three more digital radars along the Rajasthan and Punjab and also on hillocks along the Nepal and other region by next year.
Replying to a question Air Marshal Brown said the improvement of the airstrips along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was part of the modernization plan, which was a routine activity and had nothing to do with the actions of China.
Browne said the infrastructure development in the armed forces takes a long time. Efforts are being made for speedy completion of the existing projects.
Browne explained that the IAF is taking the help of Russian technocrats to improve the lifetime of the MI 17 helicopters. He expressed concern over the heavy dependence on the foreign agencies for the development of our defence equipments.
Asked about Chinese incursions, he said that enough had been said on that, "I feel the need of the hour is we keep talking to our neighbors and at the same time keep the gun dries." by Shreeraj Gudi (ANI)
