Rafale jets not enough for force’s needs; indigenous weapons to be game changer: IAF Chief

NEW DELHI: Soon to be inducted into the Indian Air Force, the 36 Rafale jets will not be sufficient to take care of the force’s requirements, IAF chief RKS Bhadauria said on Friday, highlighting the need to focus on developing indigenous platforms across the spectrum to have an edge.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘air power in no war no peace scenario’ that was organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies, Bhadauria said the use of the Air Force in the sub-conventional domain was considered a “taboo” in the past and the Balakot air strike was a “paradigm shift” in that.

Stressing on the need to develop indigenous weapons, Bhadauria said it would be a “game changer” if in the next air skirmish, the weapons and missiles used by the Air Force are indigenously built. (AGENCIES)