IAF way ahead compared to Pakistan's air force: Air Marshal

Chennai, Nov 13: Observing that the recent earthquake had forced Pakistan to shelve acquisition of F-16 fighter aircrafts from the US, the Indian Air Force (IAF) today said it was way ahead of its neighbour with regard to acquiring modern machinery and technology.

Talking to reporters after accepting a guard of honour at the IAF base at suburban Tambaram here, Air Marshal G S Chaudhury, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, said the air force was well secured in the event of an an air combat especially with Pakistan.

''We are way ahead of Pakistan when it come to arsenal,'' he said, dismissing remarks that the IAF was lagging behind its Asian counterpart, especially with regard to acquiring modern machninery and technology.

''India was way ahead of Pakistan in such matters. We have more potent weapons. Our pilots and technicians are well trained in handling and maintaining sophisticated aircrafts possessed by the IAF, including the Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT)'', he said.

Pakistan knows about India's capabilities and the strength of the IAF, he said and added thatsince the 1971 war, Pakistan has not waged a war with India in the skies, pretty well knowing the strength of the IAF''.

Stating the defence requirements of any country was determined by its economy, he claimed the recent earthquake that jolted Pakistan had done enough damage to its economy and added the acquisition of F-16s from US has been shelved for now''.

Charging Pakistan with trying to disturb India's stability, Air Marshal Chaudhary likened the Kargil war to the act of a house break-in by a thief. ''Kargil war was a clandestine operation. It is like a thief who manages to break into a house when nobody is aware,'' he charged. On the ageing fleet of the IAF and the problem of training pilots on these machines, the Air Marshal said the MIG-21s would enhance the skills of the pilots.

The MIGs are sturdy and difficult to control. Once a pilot manages it, he can fly any aircraft,'' he added.

UNI